YORKSHIRE Water is due to start a significant project in Ilkley later this year to construct a new sewer under the A65.

The work will divert sewer flows away from Rivadale View which has repeatedly burst resulting in raw sewage being discharged into the river Wharfe and private gardens.

News of the project comes after Ilkley MP Robbie Moore criticised Yorkshire Water in Parliament.

Mr Moore said Yorkshire Water’s underground apparatus, which is situated beneath the footpath adjacent to Rivadale View, has failed nine times within the last twelve months alone. He said since then, Yorkshire Water have failed to carry out sufficient repairs, with a further burst occurring every time the town has a heavy downpour of rain.

Mr Moore, who sits on the Environment Select Committee, told the Environment Secretary in the House of Commons Chamber on Tuesday last week that Yorkshire Water’s underground infrastructure was “failing” the people of Ilkley, and added that residents, including himself, were “fed up” with the lack of action from the water company.

The MP, who earlier last year called for the prosecution of any water company found to be in breach of their legal permits, has called on Yorkshire Water to “get their act together”, stressing Yorkshire Water’s previous failures to stop raw sewage flowing into the river Wharfe from their storm overflows.

Robbie Moore MP said: "Constituents of mine along Rivadale View in Ilkley – and indeed residents across the whole of Ilkley – are getting fed up with Yorkshire Water's underground apparatus and infrastructure consistently failing our town.

"The manhole cover along the pathway adjacent to the Wharfe has burst over nine times already this year, causing mayhem for local residents and the absolutely unacceptable condition in which raw sewage reaches the river.

"I have long said that Water Companies who fail to meet their environmental commitments should face enforcement action. Quite frankly, Yorkshire water need to get their act together."

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water said: “We are due to commence a significant project in Ilkley to divert sewer flows away from Rivadale View later this year. This is a complex project, requiring the construction of a new sewer under the A65 using trenchless technology. We are designing the complex scheme and are making every effort to reduce the amount of disruption to the local community throughout the process. Once work commences the project is expected to take 12 months to complete.”

The spokesperson added additional measures have been put in place in the meantime to ensure YW teams attend quickly in the event of repeat issues.