Thames Water engineers are set to replace ageing water pipes as part of a £1.5 million investment for South London.

More than two kilometres of Edwardian water pipes will be replaced during the project - with work set to start in Crystal Palace from next week.

Thames Water said the project will ensure that taps "keep flowing for thousands of customers" for at least another 100 years.

The 112-year-old pipes have been in service since 1909 – three years before the Titanic sank and five years before the start of World War One. 

They will be replaced with leak-resistant plastic pipes that will "last for generations".

On May 10, work will start in Camden Hill Road and will continue for the rest of the year in a rolling programme in the following areas.

- Becondale Road

- Beardell Street

- Cawnpore Street

- Gipsy Hill

- Mountbatten Close

- Woodland Hill

- Woodland Road

- Victoria Crescent.

It has been confirmed that the work in Gipsy Hill will be carried out alongside SGN gas mains replacement work during the school holidays (July and August) to keep "disruption to a minimum and reduce costs".

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Tom Grant, Thames Water project manager, said: “We look after 10,000 miles of water pipes in London, many of them still from the Victorian and Edwardian eras which are prone to leaks and bursts.

“We’ve already replaced more than 2,000 miles of these cast iron pipes with new hard-wearing plastic pipes that will provide customers with a more reliable service well into the next century.

“During this latest round of work, we’re aiming to keep taps flowing 24/7 but, in the unlikely event this is unavoidable, we will write to residents to let them know when the water will temporarily go off, and when it will come back on again.

“Working alongside SGN in July will mean only one set of roadworks are needed for two separate projects, meaning less disruption for residents and businesses.”

Letters have been sent by Thames Water to residents and businesses informing them of the work.

There will be road closures and temporary traffic lights throughout the project, but access will be maintained where possible.