A WATER company is preparing to spend up to £4m in an effort to protect more than 100 homes from flooding.

Northumbrian Water put its £500,000 plans to protect 31 homes in Belmont and Carrville areas of Durham City on public display on Tuesday.

But the scheme is only phase one of a four-part project to protect 127 properties across the popular residential suburbs.

A further £1m-worth of work will get under way this summer, with the final two schemes, which could total £2.5m, pencilled in for within two years.

Ashley Ferguson, Northumbrian Water’s project manager, said: "This is one of our bigger schemes, and we’re working very closely with local residents on it.

"We want to get it through as fast as we can.

"It’s better than we don’t wait for everything to be ready - in order to protect as many people as possible."

Homes in Belmont and Carrville suffered flooding in 2002, 2005 and 2007.

In 2002, more than 100 homes were affected, thousands of pounds of damage was caused and sewage washed onto the streets.

Northumbrian Water plans to introduce larger underground pipes, some up to one metre in diameter. In the first phase, 550m of new pipe will be installed.

Mr Ferguson said there was no problem with the sewage system but the upgrade would improve the surface water situation.

Work on the first phase will begin on Monday, April 27, and is expected to last about four months. The properties affected are in Filby Drive, Grinstead Way, Kinley Road and Wantage Road.

A temporary road closure will be moved along the roads as work progresses. A site compound will be located at the bottom of Kinley Road.

Future phases will benefit homes on and around Devonshire Road, Swinside Drive, Bainbridge Street and Heatherdale Crescent.

More details will be released closer to the time.

Last year, £1.1m was spent upgrading the water sewer network in nearby Gilesgate Moor.

Northumbrian Water are reminding householders that during the course of the latest work it is very unlikely staff will need access to homes.

For more information, call Northumbrian Water on 0845-717-1100.