Yorkshire Water invests £1-1m to reduce storm overflows in West Lilling

Work to reduce the number of storm overflows entering a watercourse in the North Yorkshire village of West Lilling begins soon. 

The £1.1m investment by Yorkshire Water includes the installation of 430m of new surface water sewer pipes and the disconnection of surface water from properties and road gullies from the combined sewer network. 

Road gullies and surface water from a number of properties nearby will then be connected to the new surface water sewer, reducing flows entering the sewer during rainfall events, reducing the frequency and duration of discharges from the storm overflow. 

Once completed, discharges into a tributary of Black Dike, which flows into the Foss, will be reduced by approximately 62%. 

Morrisons Water Services (MWS) will start work on site from 12 August.  We have liaised with the local Highways to keep everyone safe and temporary traffic lights will be around the working area from Monday 12 August when Goose Track Lane will be closed to traffic. 

The rolling road closure will move along with the work, starting at the junction of Lilling Back Lane, progressing westward on Goose Track Lane.  A signed diversion will be in place throughout, with access to properties and pedestrian access maintained where it is safe and practicable to do so.  The work is expected to take 19 weeks to complete. 

Omair Khan, project manager, Yorkshire Water, said: “We’re targeting overflows that discharge the most often or for the most time to reduce the impact on water quality in the region’s rivers. Over 100 overflows have been earmarked for investment as part of a £180m investment across Yorkshire by April 2025 to reduce storm overflows and improve the water quality of the region’s rivers.  This is the first step in our long-term plans to improve water quality, which includes more than £1bn of investment between 2025 and 2030.”