WORK will begin this month on a busy Bradford road as part of a major Yorkshire Water project.

The scheme, to improve water quality in Pudsey Beck by reducing storm overflow discharges, will see an additional 3,000m3 of stormwater storage installed at Dick Lane, Bradford, by contract partner Peter Duffy Limited.

Tilbury Douglas will be constructing an additional 3,500m3 of stormwater storage at Pudsey Smalewell. There will be traffic management in place at Dick Lane to ensure access for construction teams, while the public right of way down Tyersal Lane by Pudsey Smalewell will remain open. Works are expected to be completed in autumn 2025.

Yorkshire Water said: “The extra storage will slow the flow of wastewater to storm overflows, reducing the number and duration of discharges during prolonged or heavy rainfall, before returning the stored water to the sewer network for treatment.

“The works are expected to reduce storm overflow discharges by 65 per cent at Dick Lane, and by 77 per cent at Pudsey Smalewell.”

Richard Stuart, director of capital delivery at Yorkshire Water, said: “We know how important it is to our customers and for the environment that we tackle the number of discharges from storm overflows across our region. We’re committed to reducing their operation, and these two projects will significantly improve the water quality in Pudsey Beck by doing just that.”

Yorkshire Water will also be submitting a planning application for the construction of a 4.2-hectare integrated wetland at its Hough Side site in Pudsey, following six weeks of ground investigation work.

“In an integrated wetland the plants in a series of cells treat wastewater and stormwater by naturally breaking down and adsorbing bacteria, pollutants, and nutrients,” said Yorkshire Water.

“The storm overflow water will not include solid waste. The Hough Side wetland will treat approximately 190,000m3 of wastewater, helping to reduce pressure on the combined sewer network during storm events. Wetlands can also provide a habitat for local wildlife.”

Meanwhile, a £500,000 project to replace water mains on Old Pool Bank to improve resilience in the water network and increase the pressure of the water supply in Pool-in-Wharfedale has begun.

The project, delivered by contract partners United Living, will see around 1,400m of water main replaced.

Nichola Fairbairn, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “The investment we're making in Old Pool Bank will sure up the delivery of high-quality, high-pressure clean water supply for those in the area in the future."

Work is underway and will be completed in four sections. To allow work to be completed safely, there will be traffic management in place.

The first stage of works will require a road closure on the bottom side of Old Pool Bank Road, until July 28. Temporary traffic lights will then be put in place from July 29 to September 22 on Leeds Road, alongside a road closure on the top section of Old Pool Bank from July 29 until October 20.

Access to businesses and properties will be maintained via signed diversions throughout.

Works are expected to be complete by November 2024.