Last updated at 20:00, Thursday, 02 August 2012

Relief is in sight for flood-hit villagers in Dearham.

United Utilities has announced a £1.6 million scheme to boost the capacity of Dearham’s sewer network so it can cope with more rain.

The flood defence will involve building a 360m-long concrete storage tank underneath parts of Central Road and Craika Road.

Parts of Dearham have been subjected to sewer flooding which has affected homes.

Project co-ordinator Caroline Brumwell said: “It's pretty horrible and we want to do something about it. This work will be so important.”

But she warned that the work will cause disruption.

She said: “As well as being 360m long, our new tank will be 1.5m deep and 1.5m wide.

“We will need to close the Central and Craika Roads step by step as we install the tank underneath. We’re really sorry, but it's for everyone’s safety.

“We’ll do everything in our power to work quickly and cause the minimum amount of nuisance, like maintaining as much access as possible.

“We have been liaising closely with the highways department and bus companies.”

The tanks will help to alleviate flooding by storing storm water until rains subside, and then releasing it in a controlled way back into the sewer system.

The work is due to start at the end of September and take until next March.

Villagers can find out more about the scheme and meet project staff on Monday when United Utilities’ mobile visitor centre will be parked on Central Road from 12.30pm to 5.30pm.

First published at 19:22, Thursday, 02 August 2012
Published by http://www.timesandstar.co.uk