Severn Trent is preparing to carry out an £11 million programme of sewer network improvements between Willoughby-on-the-Wolds and East Leake in Nottinghamshire. 

Due to start in summer 2024, the project will upgrade 12 km of pipes, providing environmental improvements, helping to reduce the risk of sewer flooding and ensuring that the waste network meets the needs of climate change and a growing population, long into the future. 

Ian Woodward, Project Manager for Severn Trent, said: “These plans are still very much in the design stage, but we wanted to make sure that residents and businesses in the area are aware that these works will be taking place. 

“Many of the sewers and pumping stations in the area have been in the ground for a long time and are struggling to cope with the demands of a modern community, so we plan to extend them, to reduce the risk of sewer flooding. We will be installing new sewers, constructing a new sewage pumping station, and increasing the size of several lengths of sewer pipes.

“We’ll be working closely with the local authority to plan this work and once the details are confirmed, we’ll communicate with residents and businesses to let them know where and when we will be carrying out these vital upgrades.”

Due to the location of the sewer pipes and to keep everyone safe during the works, it is likely that temporary traffic management – such as traffic lights and barriers – will be in place during the works. 

Ian continued: “Our teams will be completing the works as quickly and safely as possible. While there is likely to be some unavoidable disruption, we will take every step to mitigate the impact on the local community.”  

Councillor Gordon Moore, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Finance and Customer Access and Chair of the East Leake Growth Board, Rushcliffe Borough Council, said: “The investment from Severn Trent to upgrade the sewer network is going to be vital in ensuring that, as our communities continue to grow, the infrastructure is in place to handle it. 

“Ensuring the right infrastructure is in place is a priority for the East Leake Growth Board and one of the first actions for the Board was to engage with Severn Trent due to the issues being faced in East Leake. While the project is still very much in the design stage, we are absolutely delighted that this scheme is being progressed and we’ll be liaising closely with Severn Trent throughout these works.”