As part of the plans, more than four-and-a-half kilometres of modern water pipes will be installed before the end of summer. A £600,000 investment will see engineers removing old pipes, which are now prone to bursts as they have become weak with age. Work will be carried out along roads including Parks Avenue, Wessington Lane, Holme Lane and Birches Lane. For the safety of the local community, while work is carried out traffic lights will be in place and some roads in the village may be closed. However, Severn Trent Water is doing all it can to help keep disruption to a minimum. Severn Trent Water engineer, Liz James, said: “The water pipes in South Wingfield have now grown old and need to be replaced. We started work on Monday, February 10, to install 4.5km of new modern pipes which will help to protect our customers from the disruption caused by burst pipes. “Over recent months the number of bursts has increased, so we must act now in the interests of our customers. “While we carry out this essential work we’ve done our best to keep disruption to a minimum. “We’re working together with Derbyshire County Council to organise roadworks. Unfortunately, while we install the new pipes traffic lights will be in place and some roads in the area will need to be closed. We have written to residents to let them know details and work has now started on Parks Avenue. “We expect the improvements will be completed before end of August and we appreciate that any work in the road can be disruptive. In the longer term we’re confident that the local community will benefit, being protected from the misery caused by burst water pipes.” For any questions on the South Wingfield improvements, Laing O’Rourke can be contacted between 8am and 5pm Monday to Friday on 01332 288047. Across its region, Severn Trent Water also acts on feedback from customers every day to help detect leaks and bursts on its pipes. Liz James added: “We maintain a 46,000km network of water pipes across a huge area, so in many cases, we don’t know where leaks are until our customers report them. Please don’t assume we already know about the burst or leak, even if it’s a large one – particularly in rural areas where it’s possible for leaks to run for days without being noticed.” Those who spot a leak can call our Leakline on 0800 783 4444 or report the leak online at www.stwater.co.uk/reportaleak.