PEOPLE living on a Newport estate are facing months of disruption as Welsh Water carry out a £1.75 million upgrade of its water mains.

The investment will involve refurbishing more than 17 kilometres of water mains in Bettws, and will start on Monday January 16.

Due to be completed in the summer of this year, the scheme will begin in Blaen y Pant Crescent. It will then move to Blaen y Pant Avenue, Blaen y Pant Place, Itchen Close, Trent Road, Rother Close, Exe Road, Medway Road and Medway Close.

An exhibition will be held on Tuesday January 17 at Bettws Day Centre in the shopping centre between 6pm and 7.30pm for any residents who want to question the project team on issues concerning them.

Welsh Water is working with Newport City Council on the project, and says some temporary traffic lights and road closures will be required.

They were unable to say at this stage exactly which roads would close, or what disruption the project would involve for residents. A spokeswoman added they would keep residents updated with information as soon as it became available.

The company said that where road closures were necessary, diversionary routes would be in place and would be clearly signposted in advance, giving people time to make alternative plans.

Some people will also see disruptions in their water supply during the project, but asset manager Peter Childs said: "All customers whose water supply will be directly affected will receive an information pack explaining how the work will impact on them.

"We ask people to read this carefully and keep it in a safe place to refer to whilst work is ongoing."

The company said the work was necessary to ensure customers continue to receive a reliable water supply. "The work is an important part of our investment plan."