Work is underway on a seven kilometre pipeline which will cut through Leybourne Lakes Country Park in a bid to secure future water supplies to Maidstone and Malling.

As part of the first phase of the £8.1 million South East Water project to replace the existing leaky pipe which has burst nine times in the past four years, ecologists will spend four months relocating wildlife.

A ditch will be dug into the landscape from the Burham water treatment plant to Larkfield and Ditton, with a two kilometre stretch cutting through the park.

Teams are currently clearing vegetation to discourage nesting and specialist fencing is being built to prevent endangered newts from straying into the construction zone.

The project, which will also provide water to Aylesford and Leybourne, will run until April 2015, with construction starting in January.

Initially, the full cost of the pipeline was £6million but this was increased following investigations of the route.

Phil Outram, head ranger at the park, said: “We have been working extremely closely with South East Water for over a year to ensure work has as little effect on the wildlife and the public as possible.”

Chris Love, the utility provider’s delivery manager, said: “Protecting animals is something which is extremely important to us. In addition to clearing grassland and installing fences, our licensed environmental team will make daily visits, collecting any newts found and placing them outside the fenced area, before the pipe laying starts.

“Once we have finished installing the pipeline grassland will be able to re-grow and any fencing will be removed so animals can return.”

Concerns have also been raised about the impact of the works on the Roman villa at Eccles, but South East Water confirmed it would be working alongside archaeologists, with a specialist based on site at all times.

Mr Love added: “It is now essential we replace this old water main.

“Not only is there disruption to the local community when this old pipeline bursts, but due to its location in marshland it is extremely difficult to access and repair.”

For more details about the project see www.southeastwater.co.uk/midkent or phone 0333 000 1100.