Southern Water responds to MPs over Eastern Road disruption

In January, Portsmouth South MP Stephen Morgan and Portsmouth North MP Amanda Martin wrote an open letter to Lawrence Godsen, the company’s chief executive.

Southern Water, which manages wastewater services for the city, recently launched an eight-week sewer repair on Eastern Road. The southbound lane has been closed from Burrfields Road to Hayling Avenue since 4 January.

In recent years, the road has seen several closures and lane restrictions due to recurring sewer issues.

In their letter, the MPs recognised the “vital works” being carried out to reline the pipe but asked for reassurance on measures to speed up the works, reduce congestion, and improve communication with residents going forward.

In response, Southern Water’s wastewater managing director John Penicud apologised for the disruption.

“We know how disruptive roadwork can be for residents and road users, and we are doing everything in our power to complete this work on time.”

He said the area has “a history of bursts” and that Southern Water is investing in a long-term solution using “innovative lining technology”.

“Once this work is complete, we’ll have spent nearly £6m to improve the rising main, which will have been refurbished from the discharge point right back to the roundabout at the start of Eastern Road,” he said.

Mr Penicud said the works are currently “progressing ahead of schedule” using “state-of-the-art no-dig technology”, which he said is faster than digging up the road to lay a new pipe.

He said since the road was closed on 4 January, enabling works have been completed and excavation work was carried out “24 hours a day”.

Mr Penicud said the scheme is weather-dependent and was agreed with Portsmouth City Council to allow work to be carried out “quickly and efficiently” while keeping staff safe.

“At this stage, changes to the scheme would risk delays to the project, which would be even more disruptive for residents,” he said.

He also said Southern Water would work to improve communication, adding: “We will continue to provide updates to customers on our website and social media, through road notifications and signage, and through regular updates to stakeholders and to the press.”