AN EXTENSIVE £1.4million culvert repair works project is scheduled to take place in Shaw.
The repairs to the Pencil Brook culvert were announced by the Environment Agency in their July flooding newsletter.
It details the plans for work on three culverts on the brook, with logistics and planning taking place in July and August.
Dates for construction, which the newsletter says could be as soon as September for 12 weeks, are to be confimed soon.
The newsletter continues: “The Environment Agency carried out an inspection of three culverts on Pencil Brook – Pencil Brook culvert, Smallbrook Road culvert and Railway culvert in 2016.
“These identified numerous defects that could lead to the collapse of the culvert.
“If the culvert was to collapse approximately 142 residential properties and the railway line would be at very significant risk of flooding.
“The Environment Agency commissioned consultants to design a repair scheme in 2017. A Business Case was prepared and was recently approved to spend £1.4m to complete the necessary repair works.”
While work is being carried out, there will be temporary footpath closes and restrictions to traffic which will be kept to a minimum where possible.
The newsletter adds: “Much of the repair work is in Valley Rise wooded area running into Lower Valley Rise up to the school.
“Access is required into the woodland for heavy plant to install a new lining system to the badly damaged pipes.
“Trimming and removal of trees will be necessary but this will be kept to a minimum.
“The extent of this work has been reviewed with the Oldham Council Tree Officer. It will be necessary to restrict access through the woods for a few weeks while this work is completed for safety reasons.
“It will also be necessary to over pump the flows while the new lining systems are installed. Pump hoses will cross roads with ramps for periods.
“The short culvert crossing Smallbrook Road is blocked with silt and needs cleaning and some repairs.
“It will be necessary to close the car park next to the bowling green while this work is carried out.
“The car park will also be used for the Railway culvert works.
“United Utilities are supporting us in allowing the project team to utilise their using their combined sewer network for ‘over pumping’.
“This allows us to ‘dry up’ the culvert in order to make the repairs. It also reduces the over-land disruption to the local area. It will be necessary to dig down to the culvert in three locations to complete repairs.”
Residents had a chance to discuss the works at an engagement drop-in session in July at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre.
To report flooding or a blockage call the Environment Agency 24hrs incident hotline: 0800 807060.
For help and information during a flood call Floodline 0345 988 1188.
Advice on preparing for a flood, what to do during flooding conditions and after a flood subsides, can be found online: www.oldham.gov.uk