Water works to disrupt A272 South Road through Haywards Heath all summer

The pipeline has burst six times over the past five years causing disruption to motorists, pedestrians and businesses.

Construction will start on the June 2 and will last for up to 18 weeks until September 30.

Chris Love, delivery manager at South East Water, said: “While this important work is taking place all the shops, café’s, restaurants and businesses will all be open as usual in the town centre.

“Upgrading failing pipelines such as this is essential to ensure our Haywards Heath customers continue to have an uninterrupted water supply 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

“This new £600,000 pipeline forms part of our five year programme in which we are investing £390 million to ensure clean, safe water is delivered to all our customers.”

To keep traffic in Haywards Heath moving, a one-way system is to be installed around the town centre.

Traffic travelling westbound along South Road will be unaffected, but motorists travelling eastbound will need to follow a diversion which will be clearly signed.

Chris continued: “We are aware this work will cause an amount of disruption in the town and we have worked closely with a number of key people in the area to ensure construction has as limited impact on the community as possible.

“Installing a one-way system was seen as the best way of keeping traffic moving, as it was felt that traffic lights would result in the roads becoming extremely congested.

“I would like to apologise in advance for the disruption this work will cause, but hope residents, motorists and the local community understand the long term benefits this scheme will deliver.”

Later in the year the company will also be upgrading sections of pipeline in Hazelgrove Road and Oathall Road.

Further information can be found at www.southeastwater.co.uk/lindfieldandhaywardsheath