Two weeks of demolition work is getting underway at Appley Beach in Ryde, as Southern Water continues to fix a sewer that collapsed in January.

It means more noise and activity on the seafront, as the team closes in on the original problem that caused a sinkhole.

From June 7, work will be carried out seven days per week.

Asking Islanders to remain patient, the utility firm said this is the next phase of repairs and called it a 'big step forward.'

The project has been a complex and major one.

The pipe takes waste from 27,000 homes in Ryde, Nettlestone and Binstead, pumping 900 litres - almost a tonne - of water every second, to the Sandown treatment works and a huge bypass has been built, along Ryde seafront, from the Canoe Lake to Appley.

In April, the County Press reported that a park and ride scheme might be put in place to cope with the busy summer tourist season.

WATCH a video we made back in April...

Activity has already increased on the site this week, with work on a third shaft into the ground - close to the original sewer collapse - to create a safe access to the pipe.

Tim Olliffe, Infrastructure Manager, Southern Water: “We are very keen to keep customers and locals in the loop regarding the work at Appley Beach.

“We apologise in advance for the increase in noise.

"[We will be] mindful of noise levels on weekends and during the lunchtime period.

"Workers will commit to quiet periods of less noisy work and we will also be disabling warning/reversing alarms on the vehicles; instead opting for banksmen onsite to ensure safe working practices.

"We hope that everyone will see we’ve worked hard to strike a fine balance between minimising impact and progressing works as quickly as possible."