Essential flood prevention work

17/10/2007

Essential improvement work in Northumberland will reduce the risk of flooding and improve river water quality.

Northumbrian Water is to invest £1.5 million to install 200 metres of new sewer pipe and upgrade and relocate five combined sewer overflows in Morpeth.

The work, which will reduce the risk of internal flooding to two properties and external flooding in Morrisons car park and also improve water quality of Cotting Burn, Church Burn and the River Wansbeck, will begin on Monday, October 22, 2007 and take up to five months to complete.

Combined sewer overflows are designed, and consented by the Environment Agency, to discharge wastewater into watercourses in times of very heavy rainfall to protect properties and surrounding land from flooding. 

Graeme Ridley, Northumbrian Water’s project manager, said:  “The five combined sewer overflows being upgraded will also have screens fitted.  The pipe work will also be moved from busy public roads to locations which will be easier to access and, in turn, minimise disruption in the future.

“Northumbrian Water has made every effort, through careful planning and consultation with Northumberland County Council, Morpeth Borough Council, Arriva and Dransfield Properties Limited to minimise any disruption and will continue to do so.”

Traffic management required to enable the work to be carried out will include:

• three-way traffic lights at the junction of Manchester Street and Well Way from the end of November 2007 for up to fourteen weeks - these will be partially relaxed for two weeks over Christmas and New Year;
• a section of Staithes Lane will be closed from Monday, December 10 2007 for up to six weeks;
• a section of Well Way, between Manchester Street and Copper Chare, will be closed from the beginning of January 2008 for up to nine weeks;
• temporary traffic lights on Tenter Terrace outside Goose Hill Primary School during half-term week commencing 18 February 2008.

It has also been agreed, after consultation with Morpeth Borough Council, that Northumbrian Water can use part of Back Riggs South Car Park to safely store equipment from Monday, October 29 2007 for up to twelve weeks.  This car park has been chosen as it is close to where Northumbrian Water will be working.

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 Morpeth 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.

Customers who have any queries or concerns relating to this improvement work should contact Northumbrian Water on 0845 717 1100.

ends

For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.