As part of Southern Water's £5.7 million scheme to provide extra water supplies to the Mile Oak area of Hove, there is, unavoidably, some temporary disruption to the local landscape and the Dyke Railway cycle track, as A Storey of Hove points out (Letters, December 19).

The cycle track has, however, been kept open at all times during this essential work and, when it has been completed Southern Water's contractors, Black & Veatch/Costain, will not only restore but also improve the track and seed the surrounding fields.

Southern Water has also undertaken a full environmental assessment along the route of the pipeline to ensure any ecological impacts are minimised.

In particular, earlier this year, the planned route of the pipeline was altered to preserve one of three remaining colonies of glow-worms in the area.

In carrying out these vital improvements to the water supply infrastructure, we have been working in close contact with the Countryside Ranger and will continue to do so.

In this way, we aim to minimise any disruption to the public and ensure the area is returned to normal as soon as possible after the work has been completed.

-Wayne Middleton, Project Manager, Southern Water