Yorkshire Water is spending £420,000 over the next six months to help reduce the risk of sewage flooding homes in Micklethwaite, near Bingley.

Work was scheduled to start today to install a large underground storage pipe capable of holding about 150,000 litres of storm water – the equivalent of 1,850 baths of water.

The pipe will hold the water until it is safe to release it back into the sewer network.

The company’s contract partners Mott MacDonald Bentley will also be installing a sewer overflow in Micklethwaite Lane and laying a main sewer across farmland which will then be connected to the storage pipe. The project will take six months to complete.

Project manager Dominic Cunney said: “We believe, like our customers, that flooding is unacceptable.

“And while we can’t tackle the problem by ourselves, this latest investment underlines our continuing commitment to playing our part in helping to reduce the risk of flooding to our customers and operating as a responsible company dedicated to providing customers with best possible service.

“While we recognise any work of this magnitude will always cause some disruption, we’ve worked hard to keep the road open and we want to reassure residents we will be working hard to complete the work as quickly as possible.”

From Monday, February 13, a section of Micklethwaite Lane will be closed for two weeks and from Monday, February 27, a section of the road near the junction with Thornhill Mews will be closed for three weeks. Access for pedestrians and residents will be maintained.

Yorkshire Water's £120 million investment over the next five years will enhance its sewer network ensuring it is better able to deal with increasing flows.

The company will also be installing more pumping stations around the region which help to speed up the sewage treatment process.

It has said it will not need access inside properties and urged residents to ask for identification before letting anyone onto your property.

If you are ever in doubt, please contact us on 0845 1242424.

For more information on the scheme, visit yorkshirewater.com.