A PROJECT to safeguard water supplies in Teesdale has been extended, meaning a popular bridge will be closed up until Christmas.
Northumbrian Water is carrying out the work to renew a large, aged water pipe in the Deepdale Aquaduct and Lartington Lane area of Barnard Castle. The £900,000 project has seen the team encounter a number of “unforeseen challenges” , which have led to the completion of the work being delayed until the end of December. The traffic management on Lartington Lane will remain in place.
The company is replacing 160 metres of water pipe, and the project includes a temporary pipe being laid across the aquaduct to ensure supplies are maintained for customers throughout the work.
Project manager Gary Cassells said: “As well as delays earlier in the year, caused by safety concerns around harsh weather conditions, and the discovery that large parts of the century-old pipe are surrounded by concrete, the work has continued to prove challenging, but we are now making good progress towards completion.
“Most recently, delays were caused by issues surrounding the safe installation and operation of the temporary pipe, as the ground conditions have caused further unexpected difficulties.”
It was due to reopen this autumn.