WELSH Water is to start work on a project in Blacon which will alleviate properties from the threat of internal flooding.

The £500,000 project is being delivered to tackle flooding which sometimes affects homes during severe storm weather conditions.

The scheme, which began on Mon- day, has been designed to increase capacity on the area’s wastewater network and will see work carried out in Shelley Road, Blacon Avenue, Durham Road, Blacon Hall Road, St Chad’s Road and on the playing fields.

It is anticipated the project will take 12 weeks to complete.

Clara Hughes, Welsh Water’s communication representative, said: “The scheme will directly benefit the residents of areas of Blacon and reflects our continued commitment to providing improvements to customers through investment in our network.

“We would like take this opportunity to apologise for any inconvenience the work may cause, and also thank residents for bearing with us while the work is carried out.”

In order for the work to be carried out safely, temporary traffic lights will be required and a section of Blacon Hall Road will be temporarily closed. However, a diversion route will be signposted.

Welsh Water liaised closely with residents, Environment Agency, Chester City Council and the Highways Authority over the scheme.

Welsh Water is investing £1.2billion in its water and sewerage network between 2005 and 2010.

It is a not-for-profit company that does not have shareholders, and profits are reinvested in the business, as well as for returning to customers as dividends.

The customer dividend for 2007/08 is £20 for each customer receiving both water and wastewater services.