Oswestry will face months of roadworks next year as half the town gets new water mains.

The £1.1 million investment by Severn Trent will see 6,000 metres of pipework renewed across the town centre.

About 1,000 customers will see their pipework completely renewed, which will affect almost 60 per cent of properties in the heart of the town.

While the programme could bring an end to bursts and water supply problems, it will mean about five months of major works.

David Essex, the water company’s water strategy manager, said: “There has been a high level of activity with burst pipes and repair work in the area and we will be doing this work to ensure a constant supply of water for town and also reduce leakage.

“There will be disruption to the town, but we will be liaising with the community to avoid major events in Oswestry and also the busy tourist season.”

He said trial holes would be dug during January to look at the problem and a period of three months notice would be given ahead of works.

Severn Trent says it will also talk to other utilities and the local authority so that works can coincide.

Some of the work will see traditional trenches dug so new pipes can be laid.

But for some stretches new pipes could be threaded through the old pipework.

“The work could be carried out towards the end of the year,” Mr Essex said.

This week Severn Trent was expected to start operating its Nesscliffe borehole on a 24 hours a day basis.