In February, engineers will initiate the construction of Essex's new 19.5km water pipeline. Valued at £20 million, Essex & Suffolk Water's pipeline aims to enhance water resilience for 1.5 million customers between Layer-de-la-Haye and Langford. The pipeline will facilitate efficient water transfer among the company's raw water reservoirs, improving capacity between operating areas.

Starting mid-February, over 3,500 pipes will be transported to the area, placed along the route, linked, and eventually buried during the nine-month pipelaying process. After completion, testing will occur before the pipes are put into supply, following years of meticulous planning.

In 2023, groundwork commenced with river and road crossings, archaeological explorations, and final route adjustments to minimize environmental impact. Noteworthy achievements included directional drilling beneath the River Blackwater and the Langford Cut, utilizing an innovative approach by constructing a tunnel 6m below the ground for a 200m stretch of fused pipe sections.

Essex & Suffolk Water's senior project manager, Daniel Wilson, highlighted the progress made in 2023, emphasizing the successful completion of road and river crossings, ecological mitigations, and the readiness for the pipelaying phase on private land. Wilson expressed excitement for the project, anticipating the laying of nearly 20km of pipeline by the end of the year. He acknowledged the support from local communities and landowners, emphasizing their crucial role in reaching this significant construction phase.