AN EXTENSIVE £1.4million culvert repair works project is underway in Shaw to carry out essential works in the area.
The repairs to the Pencil Brook culvert were announced by the Environment Agency (EA) and Oldham Council in their July flooding newsletter.
It details the plans for works which will take place on three culverts, with logistics and planning in July and August followed by construction work from early September for 12 weeks.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We are investing more than £1m to reduce flood risk in Shaw.
“This investment will see three culverts measuring more than 1,500m being repaired to reduce flood risk to High Crompton.
“Work started in early September on Pencil Brook, Smallbrook and railway culverts following public consultation in July 2018.
“This work is essential as the Environment Agency identified if the culvert did collapse 142 properties would be at risk and the railway line could be at very significant risk of flooding.
“The essential repairs will take approximately 12 weeks.
“Much of the repair work is in Valley Rise wooded area running into Lower Valley Rise up to the local 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.
“The repair works on the culverts are essential to reduce flood risk to properties and businesses and are part of a 13 culvert repair project in Greater Manchester.
“We appreciate the works may cause some disruption especially as much of the work will mean Valley Rise woodland area will have restricted access but we are working with partners including Oldham Council and United Utilities to complete the works as quickly as possible.
“The Environment Agency would like to take this opportunity to thank residents in advance for their patience and cooperation during the repair work.
“During the works there will be footpath closures and traffic restrictions but the Environment Agency aims to keep these to a minimum.”
Residents had a chance to discuss the works at drop-in session in July at Shaw Lifelong Learning Centre.
If you have any questions on the scheme, ring the Environment Agency Project Manager, Ian Gemmell on 07789 480926.
To report flooding or a blockage call the Environment Agency 24hrs incident hotline on 0800 807060.
For help and information during a flood call Floodline on 0345 988 1188.
Advice on preparing for a flood, what to do during flooding conditions and what to do after a flood subsides, can be found on Oldham Council’s website: www.oldham.gov.uk