DRIVERS will face delays and road closures as South East Water enters its next stage of its project.

The water main installation project aims to maintain water pressure to the area as the community grows in Wokingham.

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The existing pipework along Nine Mile Ride is being replaced due to a 'history of pipe bursts'.

There will be road closures from California Country Park to the junction of Park Lane. 

South East Water is also installing pipes in Billing Avenue and Gorse Ride in order to minimise disruption. 

Diversion routes will be in place and California Country Park will be open.

The project is expected to finish by summer and in total will have taken 10 months to complete.

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Jeremy Dufour, project manager, said: “Work has resumed on our £1.4 million project to revamp the water network in Finchampstead.

“The project began in July and more than a kilometre of water main has been laid so far, from Finchampstead Road, through Billing Avenue and Gorse Ride South and along Nine Mile Ride.

“To minimise impact on the public, as agreed by Wokingham Borough Council, we removed the road closure in Nine Mile Ride throughout the busy festive period.

“The road closure, which is in place to protect motorists, pedestrians and our contractor, was restored today (Monday, January 6th).

“Our contractor will continue laying pipe along Nine Mile Ride, from the junction of California Country Park to the junction of Park Lane.

“Two pipes are being laid, one to replace an aging, burst-prone water main and one to protect tap water supplies as the community grows.

“We are sorry for any disruption caused and our contractor is working on schedule, meaning we anticipate the project will be complete by the summer.”

Bus journeys will also be diverted.

A Courtney Buses spokesman said: "Due to the road closure of Finchampstead Road at California Crossroads, Services will be diverting via Kiln Ride, Foxcote and Windsor Ride in both directions.

"Customers for stops at California Crossroads on Finchampstead Road and California Post Office stop on Nine Mile Ride please use Barkham Ride bus stops in both directions.

"Sorry for any inconvenience caused."