Project update: Upgrade means threading new pipes beneath the streets

Water company United Utilities is installing new pipes to improve water quality for around 50,000 properties in Blackpool, Lytham and St Annes.
United Utilities site on Amy Johnson WayUnited Utilities site on Amy Johnson Way
United Utilities site on Amy Johnson Way

Work began in 2015 at the Devonshire Road and Warbreck Hill roundabout.
The pipes are being thread underground all the way to the Westby reservoir.
These photographs show pipes on site at Amy Johnson way.
The route has also included the junction of Rigby Road and Central Drive before it continued to St Annes Road in South Shore.
It then crossed the junction at Amy Johnson Way onto Blackpool Airport land and from there will turn at a right angle going under Common Edge Road heading down to Preston New Road near Little Plumpton and along to the Westby reservoir.

United Utilities is upgrading the pipes which deliver water into our homes.
Some of the water pipes are more than 100 years old and natural mineral deposits have built up inside them.
The deposits are not harmful but can sometimes cause water to become discoloured.

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Parts of the road at different points along the route are being dug up to reach the existing water pipe and install a section of new pipe.
Holes are kept open until engineers can return to complete the work.
It has caused traffic disruption at various points in the town as parts of the carriageway have had to close.

This particular project is costing around £13m, and by the time it is completed around 17km of water pipes will have been cleaned and refurbished.
A separate £35m scheme is upgrading pumping stations and sewers in the south of Blackpool and will help to improve the quality of the bathing water.
There are currently closures on parts of Midgeland Road and Highfield Road.