The new pipes under the Solent will be laid under the seabed from several barges.

One barge will carry the reels of pipe, a second will lay the pipe and smaller boats will be on hand to help during the complex engineering operation.

The new pipes were made in Denmark and shipped to the Solent on huge reels like these on top of a barge.

When the pipes arrive it’s all on hands on deck to lay them. The crew will work, eat and sleep on the barge until the operation is finished.

The new pipes are filled with water to make them sink to the bottom and buried under the seabed using high pressure jets.

Finally divers will be lowered into the water to connect the new pipes to the ends already in place to complete the network.