ESSENTIAL work on a £1million flood alleviation project is to resume in Earby next week to reduce the risk of flooding to 91 homes and 17 businesses.

The culvert repair project started in July last year, and was expected to take 13 weeks to complete.

But following the discovery of a major obstruction during drilling of a new culvert under an old railway embankment, the work was put on hold.

Engineers, JBA Bentley, contractors for The Environment Agency, have now found a solution to complete the remaining part of the Victoria Clough culvert repair project.

Further investigation of the existing Victoria Clough culvert under the disused railway embankment has found that ‘pipe bursting’ can be used, to remove the obstruction and install a new culvert along the existing line.

From Monday, work will take place to replace the culvert under the embankment, and to install an improved ‘trash screen’ at the inlet to the drain, and is expected to take eight weeks.

Temporary traffic management will be set up on Monday, February 25 on the A56 to allow for the permanent repair of the footpath, kerbing and road to take place safely, and is expected to take two weeks.

Paul Swales, for the Environment Agency, said: “We are now closing in on the completion of this project and would like to thank residents and businesses for their patience and understanding while we carry out this essential work to reduce flood risk in Earby.”

The work will result in the culvert, which carries water underground, structurally sound. Culverts were often built to make way for surrounding development, such as roads, homes and businesses, and those who live and work near them often are unaware of their presence.

Other parts of the Victoria Clough culvert project, including the re-lining of 60 metres from the junction of Valley Road and Victoria Road and Victoria Road and the A56, have already been completed.

The Environment Agency says it continues to look at other options to reduce flood risk in the Earby area. It is also looking to recruit volunteer flood wardens to play a part in keeping people informed and safe. Anyone interested should email: heather.cottrill@environment-agency.gov.uk.

Residents and businesses can receive flood alerts and flood warnings for Earby Beck and or Earby New Cut directly to their phone and emails. To find out if you are at risk and to register for flood warnings, go to:gov.uk/flood