Multimillion pound project will start in 2025 to tackle sewer bursts in road

Southern Water is planning a multimillion-pound project to stop sewer pipes bursting in a road. The scheme, which would see the “extensive” relining of pipes around Victoria Road in Shoreham, is due to start next year. The water company is currently trying to fix a burst main in the road and has brought in tankers and pumping equipment, which are set to remain at the scene to divert flows for some time more.

Equipment has been in place since Wednesday and has caused disruption to traffic in the area. Photographs show the fleet of tankers and the large amount of equipment on site that has closed the road. Tankers in Victoria Road in Shoreham (Image: Sussex News and Pictures) A spokesman said on Thursday evening that good progress is being made with repairs and that tankers, pumping equipment and excavation machinery will be in place until the weekend.



Traffic management will stay in place until the road and path have been reinstated. Wednesday’s burst is the second to hit the road in a month . The company said the relining of the pipes will be cheaper and less disruptive compared to relaying pipes.

It warned there will be disruption. “We are aware of how much disruption a series of bursts in very close proximity has caused,” said a Southern Water spokesman. “Each time there is a burst to protect the environment we need to use tankers to carry the wastewater to treatment which would normally flow through the pipe.

“We recognise a permanent fix is needed and we have started planning for extensive relining of several hundred metres of pipe around Victoria Road. Relining involves drawing a polymer ‘sausage skin’ through the existing pipe and hardening it with UV light. “Compared to relaying a new pipe this is far less disruptive and cheaper too.

Instead of digging an open trench we can dig holes at the end of straight runs which reduces the need to close roads and ban parking. “This project will cost several million pounds and will start next year. There will be some disruption but we will keep customers and stakeholders informed.

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