A £4.7 million scheme to reduce the risk of sewer flooding to 25 properties in a Hampshire village has begun.

The scheme in Brambridge is part of Southern Water's £86 million, ongoing flood protection programme. It will involve construction of a new underground storage tank capable of holding more than 1,000,000 litres of stormwater in a field next to Kiln Lane during periods of heavy rain

The existing sewers in Church Lane and Spring Lane leading to the new storage tank will be replaced with larger pipes. In addition, the pumping station in Kiln Lane will be upgraded to allow it to pass more flows to the wastewater treatment works at Eastleigh Chickenhall, which is also currently undergoing a £20 million refurbishment.

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Extensive liaison has taken place with Hampshire County Council to ensure the work in Church Lane and Spring lane will be carried out with the minimum of disruption. Work will take place in Church Lane from mid-September.

A complete closure of Church Lane and subsequently Spring Lane will be necessary due to the location of the sewer. Ben Green, Senior Project Engineer for Southern Water, said: "We are very pleased to be starting this scheme, which will help reduce the risk of stormwater flooding to properties during periods of heavy rain.

"Our priority now is to ensure the work is carried out with as little disruption as possible to residents."

The project, which is due to complete by the end of 2009, is being carried out by contractors 4Delivery Ltd (4D).

(CD/JM)