05 August 2010
A MULTI-million pound scheme to clean up two of east Lancashire's main rivers is about to get underway.
The firm responsible for looking after the north west's public sewers is starting construction work on two Blackburn streets in August to help improve the water quality of the Blakewater and Darwen rivers.
This mammoth five-year engineering programme, costing up to £35 million, will also benefit wildlife, anglers and walkers in the area. New screens will be installed at fourteen locations on the existing sewer network improving the local watercourses.
Workmen for United Utilities will start digging in Gorse Street and Wesley Street to construct two new combined sewer overflow chambers which will house the first of the new screens.
Work is due to commence on Monday August 9 and will last for up to six months. Parts of Wesley and Gladstone Street will be closed for short periods during the construction to enable the work to be completed.
Most of the work at Gorse Street will be situated near to its junction with Gladstone Street. Construction work at Wesley Street will be located near to its junction with Whalley Range.
Once work has commenced Wesley Street traffic will be diverted via Mitton Street and Whalley New Road. Traffic hoping to use Gladstone Street will be diverted via Gorse Street where temporary traffic lights will be in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times.
The Warrington based utility firm and Blackburn with Darwen Council is working closely to manage traffic diversions and to keep disruption to a minimum.
Councillor Alan Cottam, executive member for regeneration in the Borough said, "This is a considerable project being undertaken by United Utilities which will benefit all communities. However, we continue to work with them to ensure disruption to the motorist and wider road network is kept to an absolute minimum as other locations arise in the future."
Carly Ratcliffe, project manager for the Blackburn scheme said, "These improvements will help clean-up both rivers and transform the quality of water that enters the rivers from the local sewers. By increasing oxygen levels in the water we will help to improve habitats for aquatic wildlife for all to enjoy."
Jackie Swire, Environment Manager for South Lancashire at the Environment Agency said, "The Environment Agency welcome the work being undertaken by United Utilities to improve the water quality of the Darwen and Blakewater. We have worked closely with United Utilities to encourage them to look at ways in which they can help make improvements to the sewage network. This will help to create a better water environment in line with European standards."
Customers seeking further information about the scheme of works can log onto unitedutilities.com/Blackburn or call 0845 746 2200 quoting reference 80022500