ESSENTIAL safety work is to be carried out at a reservoir in the district.

The £1.5 million scheme at Stubden Reservoir, off Long Causeway, Denholme is expected to take about a year to complete, depending on weather and ground conditions.

Stubden Reservoir is a source of raw water for the Chellow Heights treatment works in Bradford, which supplies homes in the city and surrounding towns and villages including parts of Mirfield, Morley and Brighouse.

Yorkshire Water says the project is necessary to ensure the site, which dates back 145 years, continues to meet standards set-out under the Reservoirs Act 1975.

The company warns that there will be construction traffic accessing the land from the main A629 road, but improvements are being made to the entrance to minimise any potential impact.

Dave Ellis, Yorkshire Water project manager, said: "We'd like to thank local residents in advance for their patience during this essential safety project.

"Please be assured we'll do our best to keep disruption to a minimum and hope that residents and visitors will bear with us, as this work will ensure the safety of the reservoir."

The venture, being carried out on behalf of the firm by engineering specialist Mott MacDonald Bentley, will involve improvements to the reservoir spillway.

The spillway, or overflow structure, is used to control water flows into the downstream area.

Work is needed to make sure the overflow continues to protect the reservoir embankment from flood erosion, by diverting excess water away from the site.

Preparatory and investigative work is starting this month and a site compound is being set-up.

The project also requires the use of a tower crane, which will be erected in December.