MINERS have been tunnelling in a residential area of Chester - but they're not looking for gold or even coal.

Their task is the much more earthy but essential task of installing a £2m sewer in the Garden Lane area which has suffered flooding during storm conditions over several years.

A boring machine known as 'The Mole' has been creating an underground tunnel in order to lay the giant pipeline and holding tanks.

But, because of difficulties with the rock type, it is now necessary to revert to the traditional form of tunnelling which involves the use of miners to manually break up the ground.

The technical complications have led to delays on the Welsh Water scheme which is causing disruption for residents and motorists.

But those who have had the mis-fortune to be flooded with sewage water are more than happy to tolerate the inconvenience which should finish in the first week of December.

Catrin Jones, who works in customer liaison for contractors Daniel, praised the Canal Basin Community Forum which successfully campaigned to get the work carried out.

'People in Louise Street and Garden Lane have been suffering internal sewer flooding,' she said. 'But they have a good residents' association and they have been really supportive.'

Mrs Jones understands the irritation of people who have had working going on outside their properties for months on end. But she said the next phase would be starting soon at the junction of Bouverie Street and Garden Lane.

Mrs Jones said: 'Some local businesses have expressed concerns about access to Garden Lane. During the works, access to the upper end of Garden Lane will be maintained via Raymond Street. Access to lower Garden Lane will be via Bouverie Street/Raymond Street depending on the phase of the works.

'Again we'd like to express our thanks to the supportive residents.'

The scheme works by diverting flood waters away from the hot spot in Garden Lane down to underground holding tanks on the University of Chester campus. The design allows for development such as the complex at Tower Wharf, to be built in 2006.

The anti-flooding measures are the result of a community campaign supported by The Chronicle. Residents last suffered flooding in June, with raw sewage entering people's homes, but now hope this was for the last time.