A £14m four-year scheme to upgrade water pipes across Carlisle will head into 2017 with a project in the west of the city.

United Utilities embarked on the first of nine projects to upgrade local water quality to 43,000 homes and properties last February.

The water supplier has drawn up nine different schemes across the city to clean and refurbish over 30km of pipes.

Expected to be completed this February, the first project has involved refurbishing pipes from Cummersdale, through Upperby to Harraby and towards Scotby.

The next project along Sandsfield Road, a popular run off the A689 western bypass, is due to start on January 9.

A half-mile section of Sandsfield Road between the junction with Moorhouse Road to Housesteads Road will be closed for approximately 10 weeks.

The closure will be part of the first phase of work needed to lay a new section of pipe along the whole length of Sandsfield Road.

The remainder of the route between Housesteads Road and Orton Road will then be closed for a further 10 weeks.

The A689 will be the diversion route for drivers.

Concerns about water supplies in the west of the city have been raised in recent years.

Last month United Utilities held a public exhibition to inform residents about its forthcoming improvements along Sandsfield Road.

United Utilities has also written to customers with details of the work.

Its letter states: "This will involve laying a completely new section of pipe. We expect this project to be completed by June 2017."

Access to Hen Moss Farm, Prior Rigg Farm, Housesteads Road and Priorwood Close will be maintained at all times, it adds.

Pedestrian access will also not be affected, the water supplier said.

The project will also include improvements to water pipes along a section of Orton Road to St Edmunds Park.

Customers are being warned that water supplies may be disrupted or discoloured while work is carried out.

"During our work we may need to turn off your water supply for a short period," the company said.

"If we do need to turn off your water supply we'll contact you before we do this with a date, time and duration that the water will be off."

There is also a possibility that water supplies could be discoloured while work is carried out.

Some of the pipes supplying water to 43,000 properties across Carlisle are over 90 years old.

Over time natural mineral deposits build up inside and although not harmful, they can sometimes cause water to become discoloured.

Other areas of the city where United Utilities will be working as part of their £14m improvement programme over the next three years include the villages of Cumwhinton and Wetheral as well as the city's Warwick Road, Castle Way and Georgian Way, London Road, Newfield and Stanwix.