Meyrick Road / West Street (Shaft W1)

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From the week beginning Monday 24 November 2025, we are due to start preparation work for building the first tunnelling access shaft (known as Shaft W1) for the two pipelines that will run next to each other underground from Bedhampton Springs to the Havant Thicket Reservoir reservoir site, which is just north of Leigh Park, Havant.

We received planning permission for Shaft W1 in 2024, with the shaft to be located just south of the rail line in Bedhampton, around 50 metres to the west of Bedhampton Station, on land at the western end of Palk Road. The shaft will be built on a site now owned by Bellway Homes, where the new pipelines will leave our Bedhampton Pumping Station site and head towards the reservoir. The planning consent for Shaft W1 allows us to install it, ahead of the development of the land. Our main planning application for the remainder of the new reservoir pipelines has also been formally approved by Havant Borough Council.

To minimise disruption for local communities, we will be using micro-tunnelling to build the majority of the reservoir pipelines. More detail on what micro-tunnelling involves can be found in our information leaflet, which includes an overview map of the pipelines route. You can also view the route in detail using our online Google-Earth-style map and leave us your questions and comments.

We would like to thank everyone in advance for your patience and understanding while we carry out this important work, which is a key part of the overall Havant Thicket Reservoir project.

Timeline of construction work

The key construction activities that are due to be happening in your area for Shaft W1 are as follows:

  • From week beginning 24 November 2025, for up to four weeks: Preparation work ahead of tunnelling access shaft (Shaft W1) construction. This will include completing a temporary access road, leading from our Bedhampton Pumping Station to the shaft site immediately to the east. We will also put in secure hoarding around the shaft construction area, as well as equipment to minimise noise from building work and keep within permitted noise limits. A base will be put in for the crane we will need to use for shaft construction.
  • From week beginning 5 January 2026, for up to eight weeks: Construction of Shaft W1. The shaft marks the start of the reservoir pipelines route and will allow us to build the first section of concrete tunnels which the pipes will go in (see below). The shaft will be around eight metres in diameter and will be made up of concrete rings, which we will form in place on site. We can then dig out the earth inside the shaft rings, lowering the level to where it’s needed. Once completed, the shaft will be securely fenced off, with a cover in place.

We will write to you again with confirmed timings for further reservoir pipelines construction work related to Shaft W1. However, in the meantime, we have included an overview below of what will be happening in the coming months.

- Construction of tunnelled pipelines section between Shaft W2 (south-west corner of Hooks Lane playing fields in Bedhampton), and Shaft W1 (next to Bedhampton Pumping Station). The tunnelling work will be well below the railway line, roads, footpaths, public spaces, utilities like gas and water pipes and electricity cables, and tree roots. The pipelines route will also avoid going directly under houses, although it will be installed much deeper than any foundations in any case.

- Work to install pipework inside Shaft 1 once it is completed, and put in overland pipework within our Bedhampton Pumping Station site, running west from the shaft.

What this means for you

Working with the local planning and highways authorities, we have developed comprehensive plans for constructing the reservoir pipelines and effectively managing construction traffic. Our plans are focused on keeping disruption for local communities to a minimum, while building the pipelines efficiently and on schedule.

Construction traffic

All construction vehicles, including for the preparation phase discussed above, will use a designated route to reach the work site for Shaft W1. This will see vehicles travelling via Harts Farm Way, Brockhampton Road, West Street and Meyrick Road. A map showing further detail on the route is available by clicking here.

Vehicle movements will take place outside of local peak traffic periods as far as possible. We will also limit journeys by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), such as tipper lorries and articulated lorries, as much as we can. On average, each day there will be two two-way trips (i.e. to and from site) by HGVs or similar vehicles. There will be a peak period of up to 20 two-way trips daily by HGVs or our tractor & trailer unit over the course of two days in early Spring 2026. However, we will update you further closer to the time.

Parking for residents

To allow safe access for construction vehicles to site, parking will need to be suspended in parts of two local roads from 24 November 2025. This arrangement will be in place initially for the Shaft W1 construction work until July 2026. In total, 10 spaces will be temporarily taken out of use, as shown in blue on the map below.

Seven spaces will be suspended on West Street (section between Meyrick Road and Brockhampton Road), and three spaces at the northern end of Meyrick Road. Alternative parking will be on Brockhampton Road, Ranelagh Road, Knox Road and towards the western end of West Street. Notices will be put up ahead of the parking suspension starting, with clear signage in place while these temporary arrangements apply.

How to find out more

We will be holding a public drop-in session, as per the details below, where you can meet our team face to face and raise questions or concerns you may have.

  • Time and date: 4pm to 8pm, Thursday 13 November 2025.
  • Location: Bedhampton Community Centre, 21 Bedhampton Rd, Havant PO9 3ES.

If you have a question or comment, you can send it to us using the ‘Ask us a question’ tool on this page. You can also leave a virtual pin including feedback on our reservoir pipelines online map.

You can contact us by emailing havantthicket@portsmouthwater.co.uk, or by calling 023 9249 9888.

Plus, you can write to us at: Havant Thicket Reservoir project, Portsmouth Water, PO Box 99, West Street, Havant, PO9 1LG.

From the week beginning Monday 24 November 2025, we are due to start preparation work for building the first tunnelling access shaft (known as Shaft W1) for the two pipelines that will run next to each other underground from Bedhampton Springs to the Havant Thicket Reservoir reservoir site, which is just north of Leigh Park, Havant.

We received planning permission for Shaft W1 in 2024, with the shaft to be located just south of the rail line in Bedhampton, around 50 metres to the west of Bedhampton Station, on land at the western end of Palk Road. The shaft will be built on a site now owned by Bellway Homes, where the new pipelines will leave our Bedhampton Pumping Station site and head towards the reservoir. The planning consent for Shaft W1 allows us to install it, ahead of the development of the land. Our main planning application for the remainder of the new reservoir pipelines has also been formally approved by Havant Borough Council.

To minimise disruption for local communities, we will be using micro-tunnelling to build the majority of the reservoir pipelines. More detail on what micro-tunnelling involves can be found in our information leaflet, which includes an overview map of the pipelines route. You can also view the route in detail using our online Google-Earth-style map and leave us your questions and comments.

We would like to thank everyone in advance for your patience and understanding while we carry out this important work, which is a key part of the overall Havant Thicket Reservoir project.

Timeline of construction work

The key construction activities that are due to be happening in your area for Shaft W1 are as follows:

  • From week beginning 24 November 2025, for up to four weeks: Preparation work ahead of tunnelling access shaft (Shaft W1) construction. This will include completing a temporary access road, leading from our Bedhampton Pumping Station to the shaft site immediately to the east. We will also put in secure hoarding around the shaft construction area, as well as equipment to minimise noise from building work and keep within permitted noise limits. A base will be put in for the crane we will need to use for shaft construction.
  • From week beginning 5 January 2026, for up to eight weeks: Construction of Shaft W1. The shaft marks the start of the reservoir pipelines route and will allow us to build the first section of concrete tunnels which the pipes will go in (see below). The shaft will be around eight metres in diameter and will be made up of concrete rings, which we will form in place on site. We can then dig out the earth inside the shaft rings, lowering the level to where it’s needed. Once completed, the shaft will be securely fenced off, with a cover in place.

We will write to you again with confirmed timings for further reservoir pipelines construction work related to Shaft W1. However, in the meantime, we have included an overview below of what will be happening in the coming months.

- Construction of tunnelled pipelines section between Shaft W2 (south-west corner of Hooks Lane playing fields in Bedhampton), and Shaft W1 (next to Bedhampton Pumping Station). The tunnelling work will be well below the railway line, roads, footpaths, public spaces, utilities like gas and water pipes and electricity cables, and tree roots. The pipelines route will also avoid going directly under houses, although it will be installed much deeper than any foundations in any case.

- Work to install pipework inside Shaft 1 once it is completed, and put in overland pipework within our Bedhampton Pumping Station site, running west from the shaft.

What this means for you

Working with the local planning and highways authorities, we have developed comprehensive plans for constructing the reservoir pipelines and effectively managing construction traffic. Our plans are focused on keeping disruption for local communities to a minimum, while building the pipelines efficiently and on schedule.

Construction traffic

All construction vehicles, including for the preparation phase discussed above, will use a designated route to reach the work site for Shaft W1. This will see vehicles travelling via Harts Farm Way, Brockhampton Road, West Street and Meyrick Road. A map showing further detail on the route is available by clicking here.

Vehicle movements will take place outside of local peak traffic periods as far as possible. We will also limit journeys by Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), such as tipper lorries and articulated lorries, as much as we can. On average, each day there will be two two-way trips (i.e. to and from site) by HGVs or similar vehicles. There will be a peak period of up to 20 two-way trips daily by HGVs or our tractor & trailer unit over the course of two days in early Spring 2026. However, we will update you further closer to the time.

Parking for residents

To allow safe access for construction vehicles to site, parking will need to be suspended in parts of two local roads from 24 November 2025. This arrangement will be in place initially for the Shaft W1 construction work until July 2026. In total, 10 spaces will be temporarily taken out of use, as shown in blue on the map below.

Seven spaces will be suspended on West Street (section between Meyrick Road and Brockhampton Road), and three spaces at the northern end of Meyrick Road. Alternative parking will be on Brockhampton Road, Ranelagh Road, Knox Road and towards the western end of West Street. Notices will be put up ahead of the parking suspension starting, with clear signage in place while these temporary arrangements apply.

How to find out more

We will be holding a public drop-in session, as per the details below, where you can meet our team face to face and raise questions or concerns you may have.

  • Time and date: 4pm to 8pm, Thursday 13 November 2025.
  • Location: Bedhampton Community Centre, 21 Bedhampton Rd, Havant PO9 3ES.

If you have a question or comment, you can send it to us using the ‘Ask us a question’ tool on this page. You can also leave a virtual pin including feedback on our reservoir pipelines online map.

You can contact us by emailing havantthicket@portsmouthwater.co.uk, or by calling 023 9249 9888.

Plus, you can write to us at: Havant Thicket Reservoir project, Portsmouth Water, PO Box 99, West Street, Havant, PO9 1LG.

Ask us a question

Please give us your questions and comments and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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