Waterworks - the end is nigh...

John Galvin has been keeping a watchful eye on the progress of the major works to the water supply throughout the village, and writes with details of an e-mail he has received from Andrew Bolt.

Andrew is the Proactive Customer Coordinator of Laing O'Rourke, the contractors who have been digging up our roads for the past 5 months. Here's what he had to say...

Waterpipe before 

Waterpipe after 

"I am sure some residents were duly tested during the work but the men on the gangs have noticed how friendly and courteous people were towards them. Most of the men are from places far and wide and it can be tough working away from home but the residents of Bishopthorpe and surrounding areas have made them feel very welcome. We are also very grateful for the letters of praise received that at times has boosted the morale of the men (especially in the snow and bad weather). One card in particular from the nursery school on Ferry Lane made by the children was wonderful.

We have almost completed our work, with approximately only three weeks left after a ten year programme. I thought it beneficial for people to see what work we completed with the water mains by including a couple of photographs. The first photograph shows over 100 years of internal corrosion which is harmless but removed improves the quality of your water supply. Everything you can see on the first photograph has been cleaned out and the pipes have then been either lined with a new coating (as in the second photograph) or replaced. The pipes are a credit to their Victorian engineers; we are here to ensure they last for many more years. Our work will ensure that the network of pipes will keep supplying residents with clean drinking water for many years to come.

I would just like to extend our thanks to the residents of Bishopthorpe for their patience which has helped us complete this task throughout the village and finally confirm that any reinstatement of verges etc. will be revisited over the coming months when they have had time to settle.

Many Thanks

Andrew C Bolt

Proactive Customer Coordinator

Laing O'Rourke"

John comments "It's nice when a major contractor takes the time to write in this vein."