A SCHEME which will help reduce the risk of flooding to the Caia Park area of Wrexham is set to get underway by Welsh Water.

The £2.3 million investment scheme, which will start at the end of July, will help tackle the flooding which can affect the area during periods of heavy rain.

The project, by the not-for-profit, utility company will involve installing a new underground storage system which will enable the wastewater network to perform more effectively during heavy rain.

As part of the work, which is set to be completed at the end of next February, the company will install a new storage tank and also all the underground pipework that will be needed to connect to the tank. The intention is that when it rains heavily, the tank will store a lot of the stormwater and then slowly release it into the wastewater network after the rain has passed. This in turn will reduce the risk of flooding from the network which has affected properties in the area.

The work will largely take place along Wynnstay Avenue and the adjoining grassed area.

Welsh Water’s project manager Sean O’Rourke said: “Our major investment in the Wynnstay Avenue area of Wrexham reflects our commitment to providing all customers with a sewerage system that they can trust in as well as protecting the environment. This scheme follows a recent £800,000 investment in the wastewater network in the Gwersyllt area of the to resolve similar issues.

“As part of the £2.3 million project, over the next few months we’ll be putting in a new pipe in Wynnstay Avenue which will take excess flows during heavy rain to an underground storage tank in the grassed area next to the road. We’ve carried out similar schemes across Wales to reduce flooding from our wastewater network which have proved to be very effective.”

Following the installation of the tank, the area will be returned to a grassed area as it is currently. While a new pipe is laid in Wynnstay Avenue, for the safety of local motorists and to protect the project team, a section of Wynnstay y Avenue will be closed to through traffic from the start of September for around 5 weeks and a local diversion will be in place with access available to residents and to the garages.

Sean added; “As with any major construction work there will be some disruption, however we have planned the work carefully to minimise disturbance and there will be no impact on the wastewater services to customers. Normally with a scheme like this we hold drop-in information events, but due to restrictions we haven’t been able to do this. Instead we have sent all local residents an information pack explaining what we’ll be doing in the area. Residents will be able to follow progress on the work and receive updates by following us on our ‘In Your Area page’ on our website at www.dwrcymru.com. And I’d like to take this opportunity to thank local residents in advance for their patience and understanding as we carry out this work.”

Residents can find more information about the work, updates and any other information they may need by visiting ‘In Your Area’ page at www.dwrcymru.com.