SES Water are undertaking crucial improvement works in Purley during the Summer holidays of 2023, to reduce the risk of future water supply failures in the area.
This will mean the road up to the Purley Cross roundabout, a section of the A22 Godstone Road, will be closed and a 21-mile traffic diversion will be put in place for six weeks via Coulsdon, Redhill and Godstone - this diversion is for through traffic, much of it will be HGVs, to be picked up before it reaches the Croydon boundary to minimise the congestion before it reaches Purley. There will be additional diversions for localised traffic only.
The road closure will be in effect from Saturday 22 July 2023 until Sunday 3 September 2023. There will be clear signage in place before and during the diversions, which will direct traffic through Coulsdon, Redhill, Godstone, and Whyteleafe.
This will be undeniably distruptive for local residents, and those affected by the increased traffic on the diversion, but hopefully as it's happening during the school summer holidays the impact will be less than at other times of the year.
Why the works are necessary
As part of SES Water's current Business Plan, their pledge is for 100% of properties in their supply area (280,000) to be supplied by more than one treatment works by 2025, which will reduce the risk of supply failures and help move water from one area to another. This project forms part of a £45m programme of investment over the 15-year period from 2010 to 2025. It will directly benefit 27,000 properties in the Purley area and vastly improve the resilience of the local water supply network.
Summer 2022 saw some water companies struggling to keep supply going in the face of extremely hot temperatures and high demand. These works are one way in which SES are trying to protect our water supply for the future, helping to move water from one part of their supply area to another and improving their resilience to make sure customers receive a reliable supply of water at all times.
I'm told that all possible options to protect the water supply in this way have been explored, and unfortunately it is essential that their infrastructure is improved on this site, which requires a six-week road closure. The closure has been planned during the Summer holidays to ensure minimum disruption.
About the road closure
A section of the A22 Godstone Road up to the Purley Cross roundabout will be closed for improvement works from Saturday 22 July 2023 until Sunday 3 September 2023. There will be diversions in place, which direct traffic along the A23 Brighton Road through Coulsdon, Redhill, Godstone, and Whyteleafe. There will be signage in place both ahead of the closure to avoid any surprises or confusion, and during to make the diversion routes entirely clear to drivers.
These diversions have been agreed with the London Borough of Croydon and TfL, and SES Water have engaged Surrey County Council, Network Rail and M25 Connect Plus.
Following a discussion with the relevant authorities there has also been a decision taken to implement a road closure at the entrance to Warren Road off the A22. The diversion of Godstone Road could naturally lead to cars heading onto Warren Road to avoid a longer diverted route, and Warren Road is unsuitable to handle a significant volume of traffic seeking to divert from the A22.
Pedestrian access to the affected roads will be maintained at all times, and cyclists will be able to safely pass through provided they are dismounted at all times. The Purley Train Station will also remain open throughout the works and some bus services will operate a split service. The majority of businesses in the area will be able to remain open and continue business as usual. SES Water will keep all affected businesses fully informed of the plans, timings, and how they will be impacted throughout the project.
They have explored all possible scenarios to complete our pledge to connect all customers to two treatment works, and unfortunately there is no alternative but to lay a new section of main along the A22 at Godstone Road.
They will also keep interested parties informed of progress through a bi-weekly newsletter for the life of the project. If you would like to receive this newsletter, please sign up here.
Get in touch with SES Water
If you have any questions or would like further information on the road closure or improvement works being carried out, please do not hesitate to get in contact them at: [email protected].
