Overnight road closures warning over sewer work

Yorkshire Water is facing a multi-million pound fine over sewage leaks into rivers

Motorists have been warned to expect overnight closures this week on a section of road in Bradford while a sewer is relined.

Yorkshire Water said it was carrying out the £750,000 works in Apperley Bridge as part of a £180m programme to reduce sewage leaks from storm overflows.

The latest work, which would be carried out overnight, was due to start on Monday 18 November and was expected to be finished on Friday 22 November, the firm said.

A section of Apperley Road, next to the junction with Harrogate Road, would be closed between 23:00 GMT and 06:00 GMT, with a diversion in place during the closure which would be lifted each morning, according to a spokesperson.

Project manager Omair Khan said: “We’re under way with a £180m investment to reduce storm overflows across the region by April 2025.

"This project at Apperley Bridge is just one part of that investment and will significantly reduce the discharges from our overflow, helping to improve the health of the River Aire.”

£47m spillages fine

In May, Yorkshire Water's chief executive Nicola Shaw sent a letter to every household apologising for sewage being discharged into the region's rivers.

She told customers the firm should have acted quicker and announced the investment, plus a further £50m spending to improve the quality of the River Wharfe.

In August, watchdog Ofwat revealed plans to fine Yorkshire Water £47m over historic sewage spills.

The company is one of three firms facing sanctions from the industry regulator, alongside Thames Water and Northumbrian Water.

An investigation by Ofwat found that on average Yorkshire Water discharged untreated wastewater into the region's rivers for seven hours a day in 2023, with almost half its storm overflows found to be in breach of regulations.

At the time, a Yorkshire Water spokesperson said the firm took its "responsibility to protect the environment very seriously".

Yorkshire Water said it was currently working on additional projects to reduce discharges from storm overflows around Bradford, including one in Ravenscliffe and one on Dick Lane in Tyersal.

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