Lancashire | Archive | 2004 | December | 7
From the Bolton Evening News, first published Tuesday 7th Dec 2004.
A SEWER network in Lostock is set for a major overhaul to help tackle the problem of flooding.
An £800,000 project is ready to be unveiled by United Utilities to replace the existing ageing sewers in Regent Road with a modern concrete system.
Many homeowners in Lostock have experienced problems with water flooding their properties.
Residents are concerned that the situation could get worse. The revamped sewers will be three times bigger than the originals with work due to start this month.
Jerry McCarthy, United Utilities contract engineer, said: "This is good news for those homeowners who have had the awful experience of sewer flooding."
During heavy rainfall, the extra water in the sewers can back-up and cause flooding, with increased house building in Lostock over the years adding to the problem.
The revamped sewers will have an underground chamber to store the water when it rains heavily.
It will be filtered through a screen, removing items like personal hygiene products, before being released into a nearby watercourse. Lostock has suffered in the past from flash floods.
Two years ago, residents in Pocket Nook Road arrived home to find their properties under eight inches of water.
Neighbours described the flooding as like ëthe Niagara Fallsí after a culvert burst its banks after heavy rain in July, 2002. Improvements are taking place on a large scale and will cause some disruption to residents in Regent Road and motorists. Work will start on building the chamber near the junction with Sandfield Drive, working up towards Yew Tree Drive.
As soon as this part of the scheme is completed, this section of road will reopen and work will then begin on laying sewers near the junction with Bessy Brook Close and Morris Fold Drive.
Clearly marked diversions will be in place for the duration of the work.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008