WORK on a £2.7m flood protection scheme at Chester-le-Street will take two months longer partly because of severe weather at the turn of the year.

Northumbrian Water had planned to complete improvements to the sewerage system in the Garden Farm and Ropery Lane area of the town by the end of this month.

But the heavy winter, difficult ground conditions and the discovery of uncharted gas pipes and electricity lines have caused delays. The company now hopes that workmen will finish the project by the end of May.

The company wants to reduce the risk of flooding to 47 homes in and around Ropery Lane and 11 in Coniston Close, Grasmere Road and Elterwater Road on the Garden Farm Estate.

The work in the Ropery Lane area involves upsizing more than 1,800 metres of sewer pipe and installing two combined sewer overflows at Beverley Gardens and Chester Park.

Combined sewer overflows have Environment Agency approval to discharge diluted wastewater into watercourses during heavy rainfall. This further protects properties and surrounding land from flooding.

A spokeswoman said: "We hope to complete this phase of the work by the end of May and then begin work on the restoration scheme.

"It was due to finish at the end of March but it has taken a bit longer, mainly because of difficult ground conditions - there is a lot of sand in the area and it means the machinery we use doesn’t operate as effectively.

"The bad weather, ice and snow, was also a problem and we came across uncharted utilities.’’ Meanwhile residents are worried by the danger posed by drivers speeding along side streets while Durham Road is closed because of the work.

One, who lives in George Street and asked not to be named, said: "We have a lot of traffic flying around the back lanes , which are not used to and neither are the children or the elderly. It is an accident waiting to happen.

"We are in the middle of two primary schools and some children walk to school by themselves "We are worried about the speed. Somebody will be killed because they are going too fast.’’ The company spokeswoman said the traffic management was approved by Durham County Council and that work in Durham Road was due to finish on March 19.