WATER company bosses have pledged to keep disruption to residents to a minimum during a £620,000 sewer upgrade project.

Northumbrian Water will start the five-month scheme in the Neville Road area of Darlington on Monday (February 18).

The scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to properties in the area, the company said.

A total of 390 metres of new sewer pipe will be installed during the project – along sections of Elton Road, Neville Road and Clareville Road – protecting eight properties from the risk of flooding.

Graham Watson, Northumbrian Water’s project manager for the scheme, said: “We appreciate that flooding is distressing for customers and reducing the risk is one of our top priorities.

“This scheme will offer some future protection from flooding so we hope customers will bear with us while we carry out this essential upgrade.”

It will be necessary for sections of Elton Road, Neville Road and Clareville Road to be closed as the work progresses.

Planned traffic management measures include:

• The closure of Elton Road, from the junction of Milbank Road to the junction with Neville Road, from February 18 to Friday, April 12;

• A rolling road closure in Neville Road, from the junction of Elton Road to the junction with Clareville Road, from Monday, March 18 (correct), to Friday, May 10;

• The closure of Clareville Road, from the junction of Neville Road to number 14 Clareville Road, from Monday, April 29 to Friday, June 28.

Construction traffic will need access to the roads where the work is being carried out, with vehicles travelling to and from the site compound, which will be located within Esh Business Park, at Newton Aycliffe.

A Northumbrian Water spokesman added: “It is very unlikely that anyone from the water company will need to gain access into customers’ homes while the work is being carried out.

“Customers should be vigilant of bogus callers claiming to be from the ‘water board’ and if in doubt, should not let anyone into their home.

“Everything will be done, through careful planning with Darlington Borough Council, to keep any disruption to a minimum.”

For more information, call Northumbrian Water on 0845-717-1100 or visit nwl.co.uk