Thames Water announces Ealing flood relief works

Around 160 properties have been flooded in the past when sewers have been overwhelmed by heavy storms, most recently in August 2004 and September 2005.
Thames Water will invest £8 million to increase the capacity of the sewers in one of the largest flood relief schemes in the company's region.

There are three components to the proposed work:

• In the Horn Lane area, engineers will lay a new pipe to transfer sewage to a new underground storage sewer located beneath Springfield Gardens. During times of exceptional rain, excess sewage will be stored within this sewer, and will be pumped back into the main sewers when the storm has ended.
• In the Churchfield Road area, new sewers will be laid in Cumberland Park, Myrtle Road, Churchfield Road and through Acton Park to connect with the existing Horn Lane sewer.
• In the Acton High Street area, sewage will be diverted from existing sewers in the High Street via a new sewer along Acton Lane.

Steve Lousley, Thames Water's Project Manager, said: "Sewer flooding is an unpleasant and distressing experience – so it is vital that we make these improvements to reduce the risk of it recurring."
"I want to reassure residents, traders and motorists that we'll do all we can to minimise any disruption, the majority of work will be carried out by tunnelling underground, instead of digging open trenches. We will be sending out letters and leaflets in each area to make sure local people are kept up-to-date."

Thames Water engineers are in the process of presenting their plans to Ealing Council, and are working with them to agree how to carry out the work safely and with minimum disruption for road users and pedestrians.

Further details about the programme of works and exact start dates will be made public once the necessary approvals have been received. Thames Water will hold drop-in sessions so people can meet the project team and find out more before the work begins.