Relief in sight for flood-hit villagers near Maryport thanks to £1.5m scheme

Engineers from United Utilities are set to boost the capacity of Dearham's sewer network so that it can cope with more rain The £1.6m scheme will involve building a 360m long concrete storage tank underneath parts of Central Road and Craika Road. Work is due to start later this autumn.
Villagers can find out more about the scheme and meet key project staff next Monday (Aug 6) when United Utilities' mobile visitor centre will be parked on Central Road between 12.30pm and 5.30pm. Anyone can drop in.

Project co-ordinator Caroline Brumwell said: "When it rains heavily, Dearham has sometimes suffered from sewer flooding and for some people it has even affected their homes. It's pretty horrible and we want to do something about it. That's why this work will be so important.

"Sadly, there is no way of doing the work without some disruption. As well as being 360m long, our new tank will be 1.5m deep and 1.5m wide. We will need to close the road step by step as we move along it installing the tank underneath. We're really sorry about that, but it's for everyone's safety.

"We'll do everything in our power to do the work quickly and cause the minimum amount of nuisance, like maintaining as much access as we possibly can. We have been liaising closely with the highways department and also local bus companies. But please come along and find out more."

The tanks will help alleviate flooding by storing storm water until rains subside, and then releasing it in a controlled way back into the sewer system where it is taken away for treatment. As well as tackling sewer flooding it’s also better for the environment.

The road closures will affect parts of Central Road and then Craika Road. Engineers will need to use temporary traffic lights on the A594 Maryport Road when they lay the tank across.

The work is due to start at the end of September and take until next March. Diversions will be in place and local bus firms have been informed.