MAJOR work is to get underway in the new year to improve Weymouth's water supply.

Wessex Water is investing more than £700,000 to upgrade the pipes in the town.

Work will start in January in Lower St Alban Street to replace water supply pipes which are old and deteriorating and have been subject to a number of recent bursts and reports of discoloured water.

The work will involve renewing water mains in Lower St Alban Street, from the junction with Commercial Road to the junction with St Thomas Street.

Work will start on Tuesday, January 3 2017 for five weeks and during this time Lower St Alban Street will be closed to traffic. St Nicholas Street will operate with two-way traffic lights manually operated from 6am to 6pm.

Design engineer Alan Marler said: “Where we can, we’ll be using an innovative technique to renew the water mains which allows pipes to be replaced without having to excavate long trenches along the roads. This will minimise disruption.

“We will do everything we can to complete work as quickly and safely as possible and will look to work extended hours and increase our workforce where appropriate.

“We’ll be carrying out the work in a phased approach to minimise inconvenience. Residents and businesses will still have access to their properties throughout the work.

“We apologise for any traffic disruption these essential works may cause.”

Wessex Water’s investment will provide long-term benefits for the area by reducing the risks of water discolouration and interruptions to the water supply from leaks and bursts.