Bradford motorists alerted to overnight road closures for sewer maintenance

Drivers in Bradford have been notified of upcoming overnight road closures this week due to sewer relining operations. Yorkshire Water stated that these £750,000 works in Apperley Bridge are part of a larger £180m initiative aimed at decreasing sewage discharges from storm overflows. The company indicated that this recent project, scheduled for overnight execution, was set to commence on Monday, November 18, and conclude on Friday, November 22. A spokesperson confirmed that a segment of Apperley Road, specifically near its intersection with Harrogate Road, would be inaccessible from 23:00 GMT to 06:00 GMT, with a detour established for the duration of the closure, which would be removed daily. Omair Khan, the project manager, commented: “We’re under way with a £180m investment to reduce storm overflows across the region by April 2025. This project at Apperley Bridge is just one part of that investment and will significantly reduce the discharges from our overflow, helping to improve the health of the River Aire.” In May, Nicola Shaw, Yorkshire Water’s chief executive, issued a letter to all households, expressing regret for the discharge of sewage into the area’s rivers. She informed customers that the company acknowledged it should have responded more promptly and declared the aforementioned investment, alongside an additional £50m allocation for enhancing the River Wharfe’s water quality. August saw the revelation by the regulatory body Ofwat of its intentions to impose a £47m fine on Yorkshire Water concerning past sewage incidents. This company is among three entities, including Thames Water and Northumbrian Water, that are subject to penalties from the sector’s regulator. An inquiry conducted by Ofwat determined that, on average, Yorkshire Water released untreated wastewater into the region’s rivers for seven hours daily during 2023, and nearly half of its storm overflows were discovered to be non-compliant with regulations. A Yorkshire Water spokesperson stated at that time that the company regarded its “responsibility to protect the environment very seriously.” Yorkshire Water also mentioned its ongoing efforts on further projects aimed at decreasing storm overflow discharges in the Bradford area, specifically citing initiatives in Ravenscliffe and on Dick Lane in Tyersal.