A SCHEME costing £2.2m will be installed next year to protect 32 homes in Darlington from flooding.

Northumbrian Water will unveil full details of their plans next month, before starting the eight-month project on Monday, January 24.

One councillor has welcomed the news, coming nearly four years after firefighters were called to dozens of homes because of flooding.

The scheme will centre around the sewerage network in Bedford Street.

It will aim to protect homes in Bedford Street as well as nearby George Street, Herbert Street, Rockingham Street and Victoria Embankment.

Project manager Graham Watson said: “We appreciate that flooding is distressing for customers and we are committed to reducing this risk.

“This scheme will offer some protection for the 32 properties that have suffered flooding in times of extremely heavy rainfall.”

Ward councillor Cyndi Hughes said: “I’m pleased for residents in that area that this work will finally commence.

“I remember during the summer of 2007 that fire crews were called to properties in Bedford Street, Victoria Embankment and even George Street after flood water threatened to seep into houses.

“This is vital work that needs to be done. Residents will sleep easier once the upgrades are completed, knowing that they and their properties will be better protected.”

New sewer pipes, stretching 150 metres, will be installed in South Park and Polam Lane, and 420 metres of pipes will be improved.

Northumbrian Water will build an underground storm water storage tank in land at South Park to hold more than 1.75 million litres of water in times of heavy rainfall, to be returned to the sewerage network after the storm.

Traffic management will be in place throughout the work.

A rolling road closure will move along Bedford Street from February to August, starting at South Park and moving northwards towards the junction with Victoria Street.

Residents are invited to find about more about the work at an information session on Wednesday, January 12, from 3pm to 7pm, at the community fire safety centre, in St Cuthbert’s Way.

Northumbrian Water added that it would be unusual for their workers to require access to customers’ home. A spokesman urged people in any doubt about callers to contact the customer centre.

For more information, call 0845-717-1100 or go to nwl.

co.uk