WORK improving water supplies in a string of former pit communities could be speeded up in the wake of a spate of mains bursts.

Northumbrian Water has just begun a £2m mains refurbishment and replacement programme in the neighbouring communities of Easington Lane, Hetton-le-Hole and Houghton-le-Spring, between Durham and Sunderland.

But the proposed 40-week programme of work, now under way in Easington Lane, may be given added impetus after a series of bursts in successive days in the principal main supplying Houghton-le-Spring town centre.

Northumbrian Water engineers were called out three times in under 48 hours last week, after the six-inch main fractured in Newbottle Street, the town's main shopping thoroughfare, which initially affected 1,000 consumers.

Supplies were restored, but the same pipe burst again on the following two mornings, due to alterations in pressure as a result of the previous incidents.

Water company officials are now poised to alter the projected refurbishment programme, giving priority to Houghton town centre, due to fears that another burst in the weak main may be imminent.

Businesses and householders in the area are warned it could bring short-term disruption.

The renovation work will result in discoloured supplies, with reduced pressure, while several roads may have to be dug up as part of the repair process.

Mike Madine, Northumbrian Water's Wear distribution manager, said the company is committed to improving drinking water quality for customers throughout the region.

"As part of this commitment, our contractors, Fastflow, are carrying out refurbishment work to water mains in the Hetton and Houghton areas from this month," he said.

"Whenever interruptions are planned to last between one and four hours, we will let customers know at least 12-hours before.

"When an interruption will last for more than four hours, customers will be notified in writing 24 hours beforehand.

"But, we do not envisage the need for access to property by our employees."

Mr Madine said that while every effort will be made to minimise inconvenience during the work, it will cause some "inevitable" noise and disruption.