Mains replacement scheme set to start in Stourton

Yorkshire Water is set to begin a £1.5 million project to replace approximately 1.3km of water mains in Stourton on 20 October, to improve the resilience and reliability of the area’s network. 

The work is part of Yorkshire Water’s £406m investment to replace more than 1,000km of water mains across the region over the next five years. 

In Leeds, over 30km of mains will be replaced by April 2026 – with more to come in the remainder of the utility's five–year delivery period, ending 2030. Projects are underway in Methley, Rawdon and Seacroft, and one project, in Harewood, is already complete. 

Victoria Corbett, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Replacing the mains in Stourton will improve reliability of drinking water supply, reduce leakage and prevent water main bursts, helping us to deliver a better service for our customers in the area.”  

Contract partners OCU Group will complete the work in three phases. On 20 October, teams will start work at the junction of Skelton Grange Road and Pontefract Road, moving towards the roundabout where Pontefract Road meets the A638, by 19 December. Temporary traffic lights will be in place around the working area, which will move as work progresses. 

The junction of Queen Street and Pontefract Road will be closed from 20 October to the end of November, whilst work passes here. A signed diversion will be in place via Wakefield Road. 

Victoria added: “We’re working closely with the local council to make sure that we’re causing as little disruption as possible - the closures involved are absolutely necessary to ensure the safety of our colleagues and road users. We really do appreciate everyone’s patience while we complete this important project.  

Phase two of the project will begin in the new year back at the junction of Skelton Grange Road and Pontefract Road, working towards the Intermezzo roundabout. Temporary traffic lights will again be in place, and there will be a restriction on HGVs turning right onto Skelton Grange Road until work has moved away from the junction.  

Phase three is set to commence in spring 2026 and will involve further road closures, of which residents will be informed.