£500k water network upgrade closes second road

A £500,000 project to improve the water supply network in an area of Kent has reached its halfway point and a road closure has been moved.

South East Water (SEW) started work on 5 January in Biddenden Road in Smarden to replace about 1km (0.6 miles) of water mains to try to reduce leaks and bursts.

With about 520m (569yds) of new pipeline laid along Biddenden Road, the project has started to move into Bethersden Road, where work will then move south from the junction between the roads.

Once the traffic management has been moved, Biddenden Road will reopen and Bethersden Road will be closed to through traffic, although access will be maintained for residents and businesses.

The entire project is expected to take about 14 weeks to complete.

Jeremy Dufour, project manager for SEW, said: "This project is vital to secure a reliable supply of water to the village of Smarden, and the existing main is ageing and prone to bursting.

"By replacing this section, we reduce the disruption caused by emergency repairs as well as reduce the amount of water lost to leaks and bursts."

The work south of the village follows projects in Glebe Close and Smarden Bell Road during the latter part of 2025.

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