THE second phase of a £2million project to improve Rossendale's sewer network will get under way today..

The United Utilities scheme, to clean up watercourses which run into the River Irwell, began last November.

Work will begin today at the junction of Burnley Road East and Bridge Street, in Newchurch, where temporary traffic lights and a diversion will be in operation for four weeks. The project, part of a £3billion national environmental improvements scheme, aims to upgrade sewer overflows to make the network more efficient during very heavy rainfall.

When levels of rainfall are high, the run-off from roads, rooftops and pavements drains into sewers and the overflows act as safety valves allowing excess water to flow into rivers.

This can result in sewage waste getting into streams and rivers during heavy storms but the work programme will capture debris before it can flow into Whitewell, Langwood and Swinall Brooks.

United Utilities project manager Harvey Bebbington said: "This scheme will be of huge benefit to the environment and will help improve water flowing through Whitewell, Langwood and Swinell Brooks, which are all tributaries of the River Irwell.

"The scheme is progressing well and we would ask people to bear with us during any short-term inconvenience due to to the project."

During the latest work, one lane of Burnley Road East will be closed. Access to Bridge Street will be restricted with a diversion in place via Todd Carr Road and Booth Road.

Other work in Burnley Road East, which began in November as part of the first phase of the scheme, will continue for another six weeks.