WATER supplies across Otley and Menston are to benefit from a major £1 million investment.

The laying of two miles of underground water main along Bradford Road is expected to start on Monday, October 24 and be completed by April next year.

It will act as a backup to the original main and will lessen the chance of water supplies being disrupted in the future.

Yorkshire Water says temporary traffic lights will be needed and has already apologised in advance about the likely impact on traffic using one of the busi-est routes into town.

But it adds the work is needed and will bring benefits to the area.

Mark Young, Yorkshire Water Project Manager, said: "This is a lengthy project which will involve working on one of the main commuter roads in the area until April next year so we'd like to thank people in ad-vance for their patience and co-operation.

"However, the work will be hugely beneficial and will mean water supplies can be main-tained to the area in the event of maintenance work being required on the existing main."

Around two miles of underground water main will be laid along Bradford Road with its junction with Buckle Lane to just outside Otley town centre at West Chevin Road.

The work will involve the addition of a second main along Bradford Road, supplying hun-dreds of houses and businesses in Otley and Menston.

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said he welcomed any improvement to the water supply, but added steps had to be taken to ensure the work went as smoothly as possible.

"We have asked Yorkshire Water to do two things -- to liase with the Chamber of Trade and the highways department to ensure that the works cause the minimum amount of disruption within the town and to give a hotline number so they can be quickly contacted if there is a problem."

Yorkshire Water is stressing that neither its workers nor those from contractors Balfour Beatty Utilities should require access to any properties along the route.

A Yorkshire Water spokesman said: "Residents should be on their guard if strangers knock on their doors claiming to represent either company, no matter how plausible they may seem.

Genuine employees carry identification cards which can be checked by telephoning (0845) 1242424, and they won't mind being kept waiting while their credentials are verified."