Flooding relief scheme

Yorkshire Water has confirmed a start date for a sewer scheme which should help reduce the risk of flooding on the busy roads around County Hall.

The £800,000 scheme will enhance the sewer system beneath the roads around County Hall and contractors Mott MacDonald Bentley are expected to arrive on site from next week.

Residents were consulted about the project last month and feedback on the scheme was largely positive.

During the next few months the project will include enlarging the existing sewer beneath Broomfield Avenue and the construction of a new sewer beneath Thornley Avenue.

A new tank sewer will also be built beneath a section of the car park within the grounds of County Hall.

It will hold storm water and sewer effluent until conditions improve when it can be discharged at a controlled rate into the main sewer beneath Racecourse Lane.

There will also be improvement works at the pumping stations at Broomfield Drive and Cleveland Drive.

The work will mean some construction noise and an increase in traffic around the sites, although the contractors have promised to keep any disturbance to a minimum.

"We recognise this is a sensitive area as it involves residential streets, a register office and the hub of local government in North Yorkshire," said project manager Chris Freeman.

"Some leeway has been built into the schedule to allow us to shut down during wedding ceremonies and so we can avoid clashing with important council services.

"Unfortunately, some disruption is inevitable, but we hope people will agree the long-term benefits are worth some short-term inconvenience."

Neither Yorkshire Water staff nor crews from Mott MacDonald Bentley should need access to local homes while the work is in progress.

However, residents are being urged to check the identities of anyone calling at their homes claiming to represent either company.

Genuine employees carry identity cards, which can be checked by telephoning 0845 124 2429.