Anglian Water has started work to install a new storage tank in West Runton to increase the capacity of the sewer network which will protect homes and the environment from flooding.

This project is part of a £100 million investment to increase storm water storage across the region between 2020 and 2025, with a further £1 billion proposed to address storm overflows over the next five years.

The water company will be installing the new storage tank off Water Lane in West Runton which will provide resilience to the extreme weather caused by climate change whilst protecting the local environment from flooding.

The new storage tank will be able to hold 464,000 litres of water during heavy rainfall until the network frees up. Meaning that any storm water can be stored then cleaned and treated as normal before being released back into the environment.

The tank will be sealed and underground, so residents won’t even know it’s there. However, a concrete circle and manhole cover will be visible at ground level once the work is complete.

Samantha Bignall, Customer Experience Coordinator for the project said: “As a result of climate change, we’re seeing more bouts of extreme weather, sudden downpours and rising sea levels, so it's important we're prepared to store extra storm water before it’s treated and returned to the environment.

“We expect to finish the construction early next year. But due to the nature of the work, this might change slightly. We’ll be updating our dedicated web pages if anything changes.

“We’d like to thank our customers and holiday makers around Water Lane and the surrounding areas for their patience while we complete this important work.”

On a recent visit to the site, North Norfolk MP Steff Aquarone said: “This is exactly the sort of infrastructure that we need in North Norfolk, to help when the heavy downpours and population growth mean that water recycling centres can’t cope.

“The only way we’re going to stop sewage being discharged into our rivers and seas is with more upgrades like this.”

Throughout the duration of the work, local residents may be able to see and hear teams working. A temporary track has been installed off Cromer Road to enable teams to access the site while the work takes place.

The water company’s business plan for 2025- 2030 is awaiting final sign off by the water regulator Ofwat later this year. If approved the water company investment includes plans to increase capacity of its wastewater network by 112 Olympic sized swimming pools, reducing pollution risk and storm spills even further.

More information and updates about the work can be found here: anglianwaterproject.com/West-Runton