CONTRACTORS working for Yorkshire Water have moved into Bridge Street, in Richmond, to begin work on a project to protect the River Swale in extreme weather.

The £120,000 scheme is part of the company's £400m RiverCare programme, designed to upgrade storm overflows and sewers.

Work should be finished by the end of next month.

Project manager Simon Reynoldson said: "This project will reduce the risk of discharge entering the river in storm conditions.

"Because of this improvement, we need to apply for a consent from the Environment Agency.

"Our business is to improve the environment not harm it; the new measures we are putting in place will help us to achieve this."

Yorkshire Water has promised the work will have no impact on traffic.