05 November 2007
Flooding around homes in the Hawcoat area of Barrow-in-Furness should soon be a thing of the past, thanks to work being done by United Utilities.
The water company is investing around £600,000 to improve part of its sewer network over the next 16 weeks.
Work will start on Monday, November 12, in Hawcoat, to take out around 1.7km of old Victorian sewer and install new pipes as well as manhole covers.
The work will take place along Hawcoat Lane, Cowlarns Road and Wheatclose Road.
Homes along Hawcoat Lane and Wheatclose Road have had problems with flooding when the local sewers become overloaded during heavy rainfall.
Duncan Fone, United Utilities project manager, said: "We understand what an awful experience it is to be affected by sewer flooding so this work is really good news for residents. It is one of the many examples of how we are using money from customers' water bills to improve water and drainage services.
"We will have to put up temporary traffic lights and we apologise for any inconvenience in advance, however this is essential work. We would ask residents to make alternative parking arrangements where restrictions become evident.
"I hope residents will appreciate that some short term disruption is worthwhile for the long term benefits this scheme will bring."
Contractor Balfour Beatty Utilities will carry out the work on behalf of United Utilities.
The work will be carried out in three stages:
Phase 1 - there will be temporary two-way traffic lights from the junction of Hawcoat Lane and Hartland Road to the ginnel entrance outside 118 Hawcoat Lane.
Phase 2 - there will be temporary lights from the junction of Hawcoat Lane to the alleyway entrance outside 5 Cowlarns Road and there will be restricted vehicle access to this cul-de-sac.
Phase 3 - There will be a temporary road closure from the junction of Wheatclose Road and Hill Road to the junction with Dane Avenue.
Between 2005 and 2010 United Utilities is spending £140 million across the North West tackling the issue of sewer flooding. This includes a separate project which is already progressing well in Barrow town centre - a 70-tonne tunnelling machine arrived at Ramsden Square on Friday 2 November.
If residents require any further help or information, please contact United Utilities on 0845 602 0406, quoting the bulletin number 287752. The phone line is open between 8am and 8pm Monday to Fridays, 8am to 6pm on Saturdays and 8am-12noon on Sundays.