Greenway reopening marks end of water works

Saturday's ribbon-cutting ceremony follows the completion of a 15m scheme by Yorkshire Water to install an eight mile sewer pipe between Heckmondwike and its recently-upgraded Mitchell Laithes Waste Water Treatment Works in Earlsheaton, Dewsbury.

The scheme is part of a wider 90m investment in Kirklees by the company to meet the requirements of the Freshwater Fish Directive – a piece of legislation that will help improve the quality of water in the rivers Spen and Calder to a standard not seen for centuries.

As part of this scheme, the company is closing its waste water treatment works in North Bierley, Bradford, and rationalising the one at Spenborough.

The new pipe will mean that, in future, waste water from both of these sites will be pumped to Mitchell Laithes.

In order to minimise disruption and keep as much of the Greenway open to users as possible, Yorkshire Water carried out the installation of the pipe in sections beginning back in October 2008.

"We want to say a huge thank you to local residents and users of the Spen Valley Greenway for the patience, understanding and support they have shown whilst we've been working on the site," said Richard Sears, Yorkshire Water's manager of community engagement.

To mark the reopening of the Greenway, community representatives have been invited to join members of the Yorkshire Water team at Saturday's ceremony.

While this will be a low-key affair, the company is planning to stage a free community event on the Greenway on August 1.