Welsh Water representatives say they are investigating the cause of leaks coming from a new £8.5m pipe system being installed across Hereford.

The work is part of the company’s £1.7 billion investment programme which includes placing a new section of large water pipe between Bewdley Bank reservoir and the city.

But in November, a leak coming from a newly laid pipe near the junction of Bakers Lane and Three Elms Road, by The Range store, caused traffic chaos as workers had to return to the site.

A spokesperson for Welsh Water said the leak occurred after testing sections of the pipe system.

“During any project to install a new water main, it is common practice to test the sections of pipe as they are laid during construction,” he said.

“During a recent test on a newly laid section of pipe in Hereford, which is not yet being used to supply customers, a small leak was discovered which is not uncommon.

“We are in the process of investigating the cause however customers can be assured that should any remedial work be required then we will be done before the pipe is brought into use.”

But many residents are concerned with the impact on traffic any extra work could have and ask who will foot the bill for it.

Burghill resident Ken Barr said he found it incredible that Welsh Water were once again digging up the stretch of road between the Three Elms public house and the Roman Road traffic lights.

“This section was excavated over many months in 2018 laying new water pipes, and only re-layed and made good in the latter end of 2018,” he said.

“Now the new surface is once again dug out to a significant depth. What is going on here?

“A local rumour has it that Welsh Water have installed the wrong size pipes.

“Is this true, and how far will they have go?

“We had to suffer extensive works, with consequent traffic delays, as far down this road as The Range last year.

“Is it all going to be dug up again and who will pay?”

A Herefordshire Council spokesperson confirmed that the water company would have to resurface the road to its former standard.

He said: “Welsh Water will have to completely resurface the entire width of road where new work takes place and for some distance either side, not just patch where they dig.

“We will inspect the resurfacing after they are done to ensure that the quality of the road is of the same high standard recently delivered by Balfour Beatty Living Places.”