Flood protection scheme announced

16/10/2006

Work is soon to begin to protect more homes from flooding in Hartlepool.

Northumbrian Water is to invest £500,000 to upgrade and increase the capacity of the sewerage network in the The Fens area.

The six-month improvement scheme, which is planned to begin this month and will be complete by March 2007, will reduce the risk of flooding to some properties in Boston Close and Stamford Walk in times of heavy rainfall.

Residents in the area are invited to drop in and find out more about the work at a customer information session to be held on Wednesday, October 18 between 6.00pm and 8.00pm at Fens Primary School, Mowbray Road, Hartlepool.

The work, which will involve installing 100 metres of new sewer pipe and construction of a new storage tank, is the second phase of flood alleviation work in this area carried out by Northumbrian Water.  Last year a £2 million scheme was completed to reduce the risk of property flooding in the Honiton Way area of Hartlepool.

Richard Woodhouse, project manager for the scheme, said:  “We appreciate that some customers in The Fens area of Hartlepool have suffered flooding in times of heavy rainfall.  This work will increase the capacity of the network in the area.  The new storage tank, which will be underground, will hold up to 250 cubic metres of wastewater.

“I encourage customers affected by this work to drop in at the customer information session where we will answer any questions and address any concerns they may have.”

Customers will receive a letter and information leaflet about this work.  If they require further advice or have any special needs they should ring Northumbrian Water on 0845 717 1100.

It is very unlikely that anyone from the water company will need to gain access into customers’ homes while the work is being carried out in The Fens area.  If customers are in any doubt of a caller claiming to be from the water company, they should not let them into their home.  They should ring the company’s customer centre to confirm the caller’s identity.

For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.