A water company is completing the final phase of a £33m capital investment programme with a major new main.

Veolia Water Southeast - formerly Folkestone and Dover Water Company - is pumping £1.4m into the pipeline project at St Mary’s Bay.

The work by contractor Enterprise Managed Services is due to start later this month.

The project aims to improve security of supply in the area and is part of a wider upgrading of the mains network across Romney Marsh. The scheme will involve the construction of 1.6km of new pipeline and should be completed in June.

Chris Taylor, head of capital investment and asset management, said: "This is the final phase of an extensive £33m capital investment programme which we have undertaken over the past five years.

"The programme included the earlier construction of some 13km of mains on Romney Marsh. The new main will give us additional flexibility in moving water and will help us ensure security of supply to all our customers."

The project involves the operation of temporary traffic lights on the A259 at St Mary’s Bay. Mr Taylor added that the company was working closely with Kent County Council and Kent Police to minimise traffic disruption.

The strategic main will be constructed with 400mm diameter pipes and will allow water to flow in either direction. Pipes are being laid in metre-deep trenches.

A short stretch of pipeline will cross a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and Veolia Water - which supplies 44 million litres a day to more than 158,000 people and businesses - says it is working with Natural England to reduce environmental impact and ensure wildlife is not disturbed.