West Park Road, Copthorne mains replacement

We’re investing in an important water mains renewal project along West Park Road in Copthorne to secure safe and reliable drinking water supplies for homes and businesses.

The current water mains, which date to the 1930s, have now reached the end of their operational life. We are also taking this opportunity to upsize the existing main from 6” to 8” to accommodate the re-development of Haskins Garden Centre Snowhill.

The project will involve laying approximately 3.7km of new main along West Park Road between the junctions of the B2037 and the A22. Our Keeping your water flowing booklet explains the four stages needed to lay a water main and answers some key questions you may have.

We’re investing in an important water mains renewal project along West Park Road in Copthorne to secure safe and reliable drinking water supplies for homes and businesses.

Your questions

Please post any questions you might have about the scheme of works and we will respond as soon as we can.

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Why are you still working on the Newchapel roundabout despite it being the sixth day - you advertised a five day project. You have failed to meet a single deadline in two years of working on this. Two years. 3.7km. Extraordinary. Imagine how long it would take you to lay the entire network in the U.K. at that speed. It’s a miracle anyone has water based on how hard you appear to find it to dig a hole and put a piece of prefabricated plastic in it. Why are there not crews working through the night on this? You have closed an A road and caused enormous queues as a result. Your entire approach to this project has been a disgrace.

Keith asked almost 2 years ago

We're sorry for the disruption caused by this work and the Saturday work last week. For night work we would need additional permits due to noise, which are not always possible. We have now completed all necessary work in the road and have removed all traffic management we had in place. Once again, we're sorry for the disruption caused.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

I asked before why there is traffic lights there, nobody ever works They make couple of hauls and for weeks there is nobody there, they said they are monitoring Where from? Front of Netflix in them lounge? Today they cover the hauls and still traffic lights on I have to pass from there 4 to 5 times a day I really lost most of my work because of all the delays they cause Also, they told me they will finish middle of march and now they put another sign up What is wrong with you? 2 years and u still there??? Ridiculous U take the mick aren't you? In any other country this would never happened You call yourself a reliable company???? Nobody should hire you Useless 2 years???? Shame on you

M. asked almost 2 years ago

We’re very sorry for any disruption our work has caused. There are many different stages of main laying, some of which the work doesn’t require us to be on-site but it is an important step of the process. The delays are due to us needing to change drilling techniques which we didn’t anticipate. We understand your frustration, but we are working as fast as we can so we can remove the lights. The work is vital so we can continue to supply high quality drinking water now and in the future and we’re hoping to be complete by mid-June.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

I have just heard from the council that if you have further delays SES Water may extend beyond September 2022. Is this true, when will this further extension be announced by?

Al asked about 2 years ago

Hi
Thank you for your question. We are still on track to complete the work by June and will keep our website updated with any new information.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

We live off west Park Rd, Perry wood park, the traffic lights are a few yards up the road resulting in queuing traffic stationary outside Perry wood park which consists of 3 houses and it is essential for emergency services and deliveries that this road is not blocked!!! We need signage to prevent cars blocking us in!!!

Alisonlunt asked about 2 years ago

Thank you for raising, we have now put a sign in place asking cars to not block the road.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Sorry, but End of June 2022!!!!!!!! (lets face it, how much can we rely on this). This was due to end Dec 202, then March 2022. So that's almost 2 years of misery you have caused us!!! How CAN you have gotten it so wrong?? If indeed you didn't plan to just put a wrong date then keep extending and extending. Is this the state of public information today. Start with a lie and then keep lying !!

F.E.D Up asked about 2 years ago

We’re really sorry for the delay in completing this scheme. We came under difficulties due to a change in ground type which meant our drilling techniques had to change. We know this doesn’t help when the disruption caused is high, but we want to assure you we are doing our best to finish as soon as possible. We originally intended to finish by December but because of the difficulties faced we’ve had to extend the work. We understand how frustrating this is, but these works are essential to keep supplies safe and reliable for now and in the future.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

When are the works finishing? And in your discussions with the council has anything been said about making good the road? Where your works are taking place it’s pushing all the traffic onto one lane which is now completely pot hole-ridden and to be honest quite dangerous.

Concerned commuter asked about 2 years ago

Thank you for your questions. We are expecting to complete our work by the end of June. We’re sorry for the disruption caused but any potholes in the roads are the responsibility of Surrey County Council. If you have concerns about the safety of the road, please contact the council.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

No question. Just a statement that the quality of your work is an absolute disgrace. THREE sets of road works this morning, and this evening the road is closed yet again with no prior warning. You are obviously playing whack-a-mole, digging up the road over-and-over trying to fix problems with your massive bodge job, but blaming the old water pipe for failing - coincidentally exactly where you are working laying the new pipe. Disgustingly poor job and everyone involved on the project should be held to account for the misery you are inflicting on local residents.

Road user asked about 2 years ago

We’re sorry for the disruption the work is causing. It has been more complex than anticipated and we’re doing all we can to work as quickly and safely as possible. We lay the new water main close to the old one so if a burst occurs it may look as if we are digging up the same area. The ongoing bursts highlight how important it is for us to improve our network in the area by replacing the old pipes with new ones. We’re sorry this has taken longer than expected and, due to unforeseen challenges with the old water main, we have had to go back and carry out further repairs on some sections of the pipe. We need to put traffic management in place for the safety of the public and our workforce while we work.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

Why are you now digging up multiple holes that you already used and filled-in previously… something has obviously gone wrong to be doing this?

AB asked about 2 years ago

Hi
We’re sorry for any disruption our work is causing. During the weekend we had multiple leaks on the old water main which meant we had to dig up certain areas to make the repairs. We are laying the new water main close to the old one which means some of the same areas would have been disturbed. These bursts highlight the importance of our work to install a new water main as the old one has reached the end of its operational life. We are working as quickly and safely as we can to complete the work.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

There are to lights now on West park road, what on earth and No one is working there most of the days, makes commuting impossible I go through that road 2/3 times a day, very rearly I see someone working there, you are taking the piss, disgusting, you destroy the road, full of potholes all along I hope you are not getting paid for tour own mistakes, Sometimes need 20 to 30 minutes to go through Shame on you

MP asked about 2 years ago

Hi

We’re sorry for the disruption caused. We are working under two sets of two-way lights for the safety of the public and our workforce. We are currently pressure testing the main which doesn’t always require us to be on-site but is a crucial part of the process. The road is currently shut to a fallen tree and we’re hoping to remove one set of our lights by Tuesday.
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

You didn't answer "Have you been fined for the delays?"

annoyed asked about 2 years ago

Hi, thank you for your comment. We have not been fined for the delays due to an agreement with the council on the extension. All our work requires permits which are signed off by the local council.