Miners will help construct an underground tunnel across a street and park in a multi-million project to improve the water service for the people of Low Moor and Oakenshaw.

The £4 million scheme by Yorkshire Water is regarded as a necessity to enhance the sewerage system and prevent overflowing in the area.

The huge operation, which will be completed by next Autumn, will involve miners who are qualified engineers, contractors and Bradford Council. It will also mean a major clean-up for Low Moor Beck and the River Spen.

The tunnel will be approximately 200 metres in length and six feet high and will run from New Works Road to the Oakenshaw Park, and be buried 25 feet underground.

A massive storage tank capable of holding an extra 880,000 gallons of water will be built.

The tank will be connected to the existing sewerage system in New Works Road, Station Lane, Wyke Lane and Cross Road using a web of pipelines and the tunnel.

The scheme, which is being backed by the Environment Agency, will upgrade and reconstruct the local sewer system

A spokesman for the company said the work would be carried out with the minimum of disruption to visitors to the park and nearby householders.

He said after the work is completed, the park will be restored to its original appearance and benefit from a cash boost to make further improvements to the park.

"We will be providing funding to enhance the park and Bradford Council will design and carry out the work," he said.

Resident Colin Jackson of Armitage Road, whose home overlooks the park welcomed the scheme.

"If it helps the area, then I happy. But I just hope the park is restored properly," he said.

A spokesman for the company said: "As well as being environmentally important for the area it will also reduce the level of flooding."

Letters have been sent to householders in the area explaining the plans.

The work will be carried out by Kvaerner Construction Ltd - be supervised by engineers from Bradford Council.

The work is due to be completed by next autumn.

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