Basingstoke Road (A33) mains replacement
We're upgrading pipes along Basingstoke Road (A33) and surrounding areas in Whitley and Katesgrove, Reading.
This work falls under a larger program to improve water infrastructure. It’s part of our biggest upgrade in over 150 years. This upgrade will help ensure a reliable water supply for local communities.
When and where we're working
Work begins from 8 June 2026 and continues to around July 2027. Activity in any area will last for a limited period (about 6 to 22 weeks), depending on local conditions. You may notice work taking place in nearby streets as the programme progresses.
Work will take place in sections along:
- Basingstoke Road (A33)
- Elgar Road South
- Manor Farm Road
- Northumberland Avenue
- Canterbury Road and Home Farm Close
- Surrounding residential streets
Working hours
Our usual working hours will be Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
We may occasionally need to work on weekends or outside regular hours to manage traffic safely or reduce disruption. We will tell you ahead of time if this happens.
Planned phases of work
The program will roll out in phases. This means we won’t be working in all locations at the same time. This approach helps reduce disruption and means work in each area will be temporary.
Phase 1
Elgar Road South and nearby business areas
Mid-June to late 2026*
- Works are currently paused and are expected to start again in late September 2026 to complete the remaining section
Phase 2
Manor Farm Road and surrounding industrial area
August to late September 2026*
- Works are currently focused on completing this section ahead of a planned local road resurfacing programme
Phase 3
Basingstoke Road (A33) – southern section
Revised timings to be confirmed*
- These works will take place later in the programme once current activities in Manor Farm Road and Elgar Road South are complete
Phase 4
Basingstoke Road (A33) – northern section
Revised timings to be confirmed*
- These works will take place later in the programme once current activities in Manor Farm Road and Elgar Road South are complete
Phase 5
Northumberland Avenue and surrounding residential streets
Mid-August to December 2026*
- Works are progressing through the area in phased sections, with traffic management moving as work advances
Phase 6
Home Farm Close
Mid-June to mid-October 2026*
- Works are currently taking place between Home Farm Close and the Canterbury Road junction
Phase 7
Canterbury Road
October 2026*
- Preparatory activities are underway in nearby areas ahead of this phase beginning
*These timings are indicative and may change as the programme progresses. We work closely with local highway authorities and other utility companies when planning our activities. As a result, the order and timing of some work areas may change, and this information will be updated where required.
How this may affect you
We’ll do everything we can to minimise disruption, but while we carry out this work you may notice:
- Temporary traffic lights and changes to traffic flow
- Lane restrictions, particularly on Basingstoke Road (A33)
- Short‑term parking suspensions near our work areas
- Temporary changes to bus stops and pedestrian crossings in some locations
- Increased noise from construction activity and vehicles
We’ll use a range of traffic management methods depending on the location. This includes temporary traffic signals, lane restrictions and controlled access arrangements.
These will move along the road network as we progress, so impacts will be temporary and localised to each section.
Pedestrian access will always be available. We'll also keep access to homes and businesses wherever we can. If we need to temporarily restrict access, we’ll contact you in advance.
Traffic management
Examples of the different types of traffic management we'll use:
These diagrams show typical examples of the traffic management we may use. The exact setup may vary depending on the location and the work taking place.
Get in touch
If you have any questions, please call us on 0800 316 9800 or you can email us. Please quote reference: BB01593875.
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Emergency systems
Get in touch if you have any emergency systems, like sprinklers or misting systems, so we can reconnect them.
Loss of profits
If you feel your business has been affected, view our business loss of profits policy.