30m deep storm tank to reduce spills and decrease flooding in Blackburn

Overview

A £24.5 million investment project to create a vast new underground stormwater storage tank is underway in Blackburn.

Challenge

Recent population growth in Blackburn and the ongoing impacts of climate change with more periods of intense rainfall have put additional demand on the wastewater network.

Solution

Situated in land off Philips Road and Percliff Way, the tank will be 30 metres deep and 30 metres wide and capable of holding 12.5 million litres of stormwater.

The new tank will be connected by an underground shaft to an existing tank in the same area which was constructed in 2012. Together, both tanks will store 15 million litres of stormwater – the equivalent of six Olympic sized swimming pools.

Outcome

The additional storage will reduce storm overflows into the River Blakewater.

This project is being delivered as part of our Big North West Upgrade to make the northwest stronger, greener and healthier.