Storm tank to be built to reduce flood risk

Work to build a new underground storm tank to help reduce the risk of flooding in parts of Sheffield will begin next month.

The £3.6m scheme funded by Yorkshire Water will see a 2,500m³ storage tank built underneath green space at Carver Fields in Crosspool.

Once completed, the container will hold excess wastewater and surface water following periods of prolonged or heavy rainfall, to prevent it being discharged into the River Rivelin from Rivelin Valley combined sewer overflow (CSO).

The work is one of 21 storm overflow projects that Yorkshire Water has committed to in Sheffield to reduce sewage discharges.

Work has already begun on two other schemes in Sheffield at Vickers Road in Wincobank, and Butterthwaite Road in Shiregreen.

Joe Johnson, senior project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: "We know that reducing the number of storm discharges going into local watercourses is an important matter to our customers and, when its finished, this scheme should reduce discharges into the river from Rivelin Valley CSO to fewer than 10 per year."

The green space of Carver Fields, which is a popular picnic spot, was identified by Yorkshire Water because of its "local geology" and proximity to existing underground sewers, as well as being identified as the "least impactful" to the wider community.

Ian Hague, the chair of Crosspool Forum, said he hoped the work would not cause too much "disruption" to local people.

"We're mindful that it needs to be done because if there's a lot of rainfall down in Rivelin they get flooded on Rivelin Valley Road, and this is to try and alleviate that because when it rains really heavily you've got all the sewers and everything coming down all at once it can't cope with it."

Hague added: "Most people aren't concerned. Those that live on Hagg Lane are apprehensive about big lorries going up and down their road but once it's done we're hoping we won't know it's there."

The site at Carver Fields will also be used by the Sheffield-based social enterprise Food Works, who focus on growing food locally and reducing waste.

They aim to use some of the fields to grow fruit and vegetables and run small seasonal projects and have a community launch event planned for later in June.

Natalie Flanagan from Food Works said Carver Fields "remains a site with significant potential".

"While the Yorkshire Water development introduces challenges, it does not prevent the land from being used in a positive and meaningful way.

"Over time, this can grow into a wider programme of activities, including community events, volunteering, and shared use of the space."

Yorkshire Water will host a public meeting on Wednesday 3 June at Crosspool & District Youth Sports Trust where local residents and businesses can meet the project team and find out more about the upcoming scheme.

Johnson said: "This project is expected to take 18 months to complete, and we will be working closely with residents and the local community to ensure we keep disruption to a minimum and that the field will be fully restored, as well as other betterment opportunities."

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