NETWORK Rail engineers have begun work to improve the drainage and reduce the risk of flooding around Guiseley station.

Standing water on Station Road in the town has been a cause of concern for residents and commuters for some time.

But now a programme of work has started which will introduce a completely new drainage run and new rainwater gullies stretching from the train station to Oxford Road.

The work got underway this week and is expected to be completed on December 1, with teams moving along Station Road in stages, closing and re-opening parts at a time.

This approach is designed ensure that one lane of the road can remain open at all times and will allow station users to park along the sides of the road. It will also mean the station car park will remain open except when teams are working directly on it.

Richard Owens, Infrastructure Director for Network Rail's North and East Route, said: “We’re aware of the historic concerns about flooding in the area and are delighted to be starting this scheme, which we’re confident will provide a lasting solution.

“We’ve planned the work very carefully to try and keep disruption to an absolute minimum for local residents, but we know that any road closure has the potential to cause problems so apologise in advance for any inconvenience caused.”

Guiseley and Rawdon ward councillors have welcomed the works being delivered by Network Rail, in what they hope will be a successful solution to the long-standing problem of flooding in the area.

Councillor Graham Latty (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward, Conservative), said: “I have received numerous complaints from residents over the years about this issue and I am pleased Network Rail are finally giving it the attention it deserves. Guiseley is an important commuter station to Leeds, Bradford and beyond, so it is only fitting that people seeking to access the station should not have to wade through inches of water or be splashed by car’s driving through the floods.”

Councillor Paul Alderson (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward, Conservative), said: “This is a major piece of work scheduled to take a number of months. The timing is unfortunate, that given the easing of restrictions, more people may want to travel at the same time as these works are happening. However, I believe the benefit at the end will outweigh any disruption, and the phased approach does mean parking remains available.”

Councillor Paul Wadsworth (Guiseley and Rawdon Ward, Conservative), said: “This has been a long-running issue raised by residents in the ward and neighbours close to the station. I hope this will rectify the flooding problem once and for all, meaning that parking at the station can operate at full capacity all year-round, not just in the drier months. In turn, this may ease some of the problems of anti-social parking we have in the immediate vicinity.”