United Utilities has completed a £5.5 million project to create a new underground stormwater storage tunnel in Kirkham ahead of schedule.

The 300m long tunnel has been constructed four metres below ground and can store more than two million litres of stormwater.

Increasing Kirkham’s wastewater network additional capacity will play an important role in improving water quality in nearby Wrangway Brook, a tributary of the River Ribble, by reducing the number of times that storm overflows operate.

Simon Holding, County Business lead for Wastewater Services in Lancashire explained:

“We’re pleased to see the tunnel is already delivering environmental benefits by holding back excess stormwater in times of heavy rainfall.

“Wastewater from Kirkham travels through the sewer network to the pumping station at Freckleton before going on to the Wastewater Treatment Works at Clifton Marsh, Preston. Creating this extra capacity means that it isn’t all hitting either the pumping station, or the wastewater treatment works all at the same time. This means the system is less likely to be overwhelmed and will reduce the number of times that storm overflows operate – which is something our customers have told us they want to see.”