Thames Water’s Capital Delivery Director Lawrence Gosden said “Since starting our rolling program of mains replacement in 2003, we've replaced 1,400 of the 10,000 miles of worn-out pipes under London.

"We've replaced the leakiest pipes in the busiest areas of central London first. This is a good start but there's plenty of work still to do to keep leakage heading in the right direction.”

Since April this year, 50 miles of pipe has been replaced and the next project in London is due to start next week.

Meanwhile, in Mortimer, Thames Water has started work to replace a sewage pipe in Tun Bridge which has burst four times in five years.

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To keep disruption to a minimum, engineers will use No-Dig technology to replace a 300 m stretch of the pipe.

The seven-week project will take place between October and December 2011.

Thames Water Capital Delivery Director Lawrence Gosden said "We will lay the new pipe using No-Dig technology, which avoids having to dig an open trench along the entire stretch of the road. The majority of our work will be carried out in nearby fields, although there will be some work on the street.

"We're in a hurry to complete this essential work before Christmas to give people peace of mind by preventing future bursts."

Thames Water has worked closely with West Berkshire council to plan the pipe replacement ahead of resurfacing work. The project will not require any road closures.

Thames Water is investing nearly £5 billion between 2010 and 2015 to upgrade ageing water pipes, sewers and other facilities for its 14 million customers in London and the Thames Valley.