Southern Water are today (Monday) starting essential improvements at The Strand in Ryde to reduce the risk of sewer flooding in the area.
The existing sewer which runs under The Strand is combined, meaning it carries both household wastewater and rainwater. During heavy rain, there is a risk of the sewer becoming flooded with rainwater, which can potentially cause internal sewer flooding of nearby properties.
To help reduce the risk of this happening, the company is installing a new, larger capacity sewer along The Strand and a new underground stormwater storage tank and pumping station underneath the small area of recreational land at the eastern end of the road with the junction of East Hill Road.
The underground tank will store excess water at times of heavy rain, then release it back into the network for treatment after water levels have subsided.
The work, which is being carried out by Clancy Docwra, is expected to be completed by late Spring 2015. The first phase of work will be carried out before Christmas in the road at the eastern end of The Strand.
To allow work to be carried out safely, a short section of The Strand will be temporarily closed to through-traffic, however access for residents and businesses will be maintained and pedestrian access will be unaffected.
Work will then resume in January to begin installation of the new pipe and the tank.
