A Ben Rhydding man has accused Yorkshire Water of forgetting to pay him his due compensation.

John Marshall, of Wheatley Lane, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley, said the company told him last Autumn it would look at paying him for the extensive sewerage works he and his neighbours had to put up with in1997.

"I telephoned Yorkshire Water this week and they told me that the contractors finished the work early and hadn't told them about it so they hadn't started sorting out the compensation payments," said Mr Marshall.

"We had to put up with a lot of disruption, noise and obstructions outside our house and couldn't get out easily into Wheatley Lane.

"We all deserve something for it and still I haven't heard anything.

"I know that two of my neighbours have already received their compensation. I can't believe they have forgotten about us."

Yorkshire Water began the £2.8m sewage flooding relief scheme in October 1996 and traffic and residents along Wheatley Lane were the worst hit for about12 months.

A spokesman for Yorkshire Water said: "Mr Marshall was originally told that his claim would be considered.

"He has not been forgotten.

"The scheme should have taken to around now to complete finished ahead of time.

"We are currently considering the claim he has made."

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