Flood-hit Walsall road set to close for five months
Work will be carried out to combat flooding misery at a problem-hit road in Walsall, it emerged today. But it will mean parts of Stoney Lane, in Bloxwich, will be closed for around 21 weeks.
A new underground tank is being put in place by Severn Trent to store excess water during heavy rainfall and stop nearby homes from flooding.
Water company chief today said flooding can be "deeply distressing" for residents and they wanted to try to solve the problem once and for all.
It comes as 2012 looks set to be named one of the wettest on record. This year's summer was branded the wettest for 100 years.
Work to install the underground tank is set to start on January 7 and will force the closure of Stoney Lane at its junction with Lambourn Close.
A yellow sign has gone up warning drivers of the work and apologising for any inconvenience.
Sarah-Jane Dean, spokeswoman for Severn Trent Water, said: "We will be carrying out work to install a new tank under the road on Stoney Lane, Walsall, early in the new year.
"This essential work will offer significant benefits to the local community, as there have previously been problems with properties nearby being flooded during heavy rainfall.
"This new tank will store the excess water during bad weather, helping to reduce the risk of our sewer network becoming overloaded and affecting local homes.
"We understand how deeply distressing flooding can be for our customers and we are pleased to have found a solution for the residents in this area."
She apologised to residents for any inconvenience caused by the road closure.
"We will work with them to limit their disruption during the work," she added.
In the heavy rain which struck the region in June, a manhole cover came up causing floods of water in Stoney Lane.
