Major sewage floods in the Aire Valley below Steeton have prompted a new action plan.
Yorkshire Water has drawn up the strategy to tackle drainage problems in the area known as Steeton Ings.
The new Keighley Low Level Drainage Area Plan was devised by water chiefs through close work with councillors and public bodies. The groups came together in 2011, following a severe escape of sewage, to form the Aire Valley Sewerage Group.
The new plan has been welcomed by Steeton-with-Eastburn Parish Council chairman David Mullen.
He said the Sewerage Group, which also includes the Environment Agency and the Aire Rivers Trust, had held several productive meetings.
He said: “I’m happy that Yorkshire Water has listened to residents’ concerns and acted on what we’ve told them.”
The 2011 crisis centred on the Aire Valley Trunk Sewer, a concrete pipe that can be seen running through fields.
A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: “The severe flooding was the result of the blockage of the pipe at Steeton with a large amount of fat and silt. A significant amount of debris has been removed from the pipe.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here