Flood relief for Oldham residents

Work has started on the installation of a £4.3m, 175m sewer pipe by United Utilities in Oldham to prevent further flooding incidents for an area blighted in recent years.

United Utilities project engineer George Finegan said: "We are carrying out this work due to the number of flooding incidents to local properties over the past few years, and this persistent flooding has been caused by a lack of capacity in the local sewer system."

The new pipe on Roundthorn Road is being fitted by contractor Balfour Beatty over eight-to-ten weeks.

Finnegan added: "We have timed the work so that the majority of it takes place over the school holidays as the road is outside a primary school. We wanted to minimise any disruptions to the school during term time."

The North West escaped relatively unaffected by the recent severe floods which hit the east and midlands of England, despite receiving more rain.