Reservoir improvement plans go on display

PLANS by Yorkshire Water to improve a reservoir near Halifax are to go on public display.

A special drop-in session will give people the opportunity to learn more about the two-phase programme of improvement work which is set to take place at Withens Clough Reservoir as part of the company’s 60m project to maintain and modernise its reservoir sites across the region.

The first phase of work at the reservoir is set to begin on September 27, as contractors Mott MacDonald Bentley (MMB) undertake work to improve drainage around the reservoir embankment.

The work, which will require a site compound to be set up a couple of weeks beforehand, is not expected to have any impact on access routes around the site.

Following this, the second phase of the project is expected to begin early next year to replace the existing overflow structures at the reservoir.

This phase of work will take around 15 months to complete and will involve an increase in traffic to and from the site via Rudd Lane.

In order to ensure the safety of contractors working on the overflow structures, reservoir levels will be lowered during this phase, though it is not anticipated that this work will have any impact on access routes around the site.

John Bond, of Yorkshire Water’s community engagement team, said: “This is a great opportunity for people to come and learn about what we are going to do, how we’re going to do it and the benefits the scheme will ultimately deliver for them.

“Not only will they be able to view the plans, but they will have the chance to ask members of the project team about the work. We also want to reassure customers that while we recognise there is likely to be some disruption to visitors, we’ll be working hard to minimise it.

“The work we are doing at Withens Clough and at other reservoir sites across the region will enable us to continue to safeguard the high quality water supply to the region for many years to come.”

The drop-in session will be held at the Hinchcliffe Arms, Cragg Vale off Cragg Road between Mytholmroyd and Blackstone Edge, on September 7 from 4.30pm until 7pm.