Delayed South Ribble sewer works will start next year, United Utilities says
The £5 million project was planned for the summer, but will be taking place next year, according to letters sent to residents.
Residents in Coup Green can expect more than a year of road closures as engineers work to introduce additional storage into the local sewer network on the riverbank.
In letters to local residents, United Utilities said the improvements will help reduce storm overflow spills into Many Brook, on Gregson Lane, and Black Brook, Daub Hall Lane and Hoghton Lane junction, and support cleaner, healthier watercourses.
In 2025, there were 67 recorded overflows at Black Brook and a further 88 at Many Brook, which both flow into the River Darwen.
The storage tanks and pipe works will allow the storm drains to take on more than 400,000 litres of water - roughly 3,000 bathtubs - during bouts of heavy rain.
The tanks will act as holding areas for the extra rainwater that enters the sewer network during times of heavy rainfall – this means the sewer network doesn’t get overwhelmed and the need for storm overflows to operate is reduced.
When the rain has subsided and levels in the sewer network have lowered, then the contents of the tank are released into the sewer network
The £5 million plans were first announced in March, but were subject to delays as a final location for the Gregson Lane tank was yet to be decided.
Both projects are due to start in the new year, and last approximately 18 months.
It will result in some road closures and temporary traffic lights while work is carried out.
United Utilities have also confirmed that the project is part of their Better Rivers programme to improve the local water network, and is unrelated to any current housing developments or proposals.
A drop in session is set to be held between 4pm and 7pm on Thursday November 19 at the Trinity Methodist Church on Gregson Lane, where representatives will answer questions about the project.