WATER facilities in Flixton are set to be improved thanks to a half million pound scheme to upgrade the sewers.

The work on the North West Water project is already well advanced and the company say the town will reap the benefits of the improvements when they are completed later this year.

Around 1.6 kilometres of critical sewers in Irlam Road are the focus of the scheme which has been split into two phases.

And the first phase, which is aiming to improve access to manholes on the busy stretch as well as carrying out lining work on the pipes to restore ageing structures, should be completed by the end of April.

North West Water project manager, Gary Fisher said: "This is a major operation and it is because of that we have split it into two parts.

"We have opted to line the bulk of the piping so as to avoid digging trenches and thus helping to reduce traffic disruption."

Phase two of the £530,000 programme will begin in June with replacement of the lengths of sewers that are beyond repair.

The work is being monitored on site by the council, working closely with local residents and businesses to keep disruption to a minimum.

Gary added: "This is an essential scheme and the substantial investment will enable the needy work to be done to avoid potentially more serious problems."

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