New £17m water main in Fortis Green aims to 'improve resilience' in network

The upgrade is part of a total £20billion investment by the water company over the next five years

Construction work on the Fortis Green water mains (credit Thames Water)

Thames Water has recently completed a £16.8m project to upgrade 2.4km of “ageing” trunk water mains in Fortis Green.

The work aims to “improve resilience” for Thames Water’s clean water supply in Haringey and North London and is part of a total £20billion investment by the water company over the next five years.

Mark Taylor, director of delivery at Thames Water, said: “Our purpose is to deliver life’s essential service, so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive. 

“We’re seeing the effects of population growth and climate change are putting increased pressure on our water pipes across the capital and we have a long-term commitment to improving infrastructure resilience, environmental performance, and service to customers as we plan to invest more than £20bn by 2030.”

While Fortis Green was primarily a project to replace an important pipe on our network which was “reaching the end of its natural life”, Thames Water says it also “presented an opportunity to upgrade part of the network and strengthen its resilience, which will benefit customers and motorists for years to come”.

The upgrade was completed using a combination of micro-tunnelling and open cut trenching techniques. The project also moved the existing trunk pipeline away from the A406 North Circular Road, which will help limit traffic delays in the future should repairs and maintenance be needed.

Thames Water continues to be in a state of financial turmoil, with debts of £19bn, and needed a £3bn rescue package earlier this year to remain afloat.

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