YORKSHIRE Water has thanked the residents of a town for their patience following 18 months of disruption.

The company has installed combined sewer overflows beneath roads and footpaths in Harrogate.

Parliament Street, one of the busiest shopping streets in Harrogate town centre, the main A61 Ripon Road through Killinghall and Skipton Road through Harrogate, have all been dug up during the past year-and-a-half.

A number of side streets and residential areas have also been affected. A huge excavation beneath the playing fields next to The Hydro swimming complex also led to the Killinghall Nomads junior football team having to find a temporary home.

The scheme will improve the quality of water in Oak Beck and the River Nidd and reduce the amount of debris escaping the sewers after prolonged or heavy rain.

Project manager Steve Cooper said: "We have tried to work with local people to minimise the impact of the work.

"However, we acknowledge there is no such thing as a good time to dig up major roads these days and many people will still have found traffic queues frustrating."

Yorkshire Water has presented the Killinghall Nomads under-nines squad with a new strip to thank them for their patience.

Contractor Mott MacDonald Bentley has payed for a new basketball court and another £500 has been offered to Harrogate Borough Council to help fund a swimming gala.