A NEW reservoir to store fresh water for the people of Malvern is nearing completion.

The reservoir, just on the edge of North Malvern, will have more than double the capacity of the one it is replacing.

The reservoir has been built a part of a £7 million project by Severn Trent to upgrade the town's water supply.

Gareth Mead, from Severn Trent, said: “We’re investing £7m in this project in Malvern which is seeing a network of new pipes installed alongside the construction of the new reservoir.

“The project is a really important one that will make sure local residents and businesses have a reliable supply of water for the future.”

The work stated in August last year, with the installation of new mains in Cowleigh Road, North Malvern, and Albert Road North, close to the town centre.

When the work is finished, three miles of new water pipes will link the new reservoir with the existing reservoir

at Lower Wyche.

As well as completing work on the reservoir, work is continuing on Albert Road North and Court Road to install new water pipes and the final phase of the project will take place on Lower Wyche Road.

Mr Mead said: "If everything goes to plan the new pipes should all be installed by the end of July and the reservoir will be complete and fully operational by the end of the year.

“We’d like to thank local people for their patience while we’ve been carrying out this work and our contractors will work as quickly as possible to get the final sections complete. This work will be really beneficial for local people and will provide them with fresh water for many years to come.”