Cottam sewer improvements

Every day we provide great water to over 3 million homes and businesses within the North West, taking away and treating all the used water through a huge network of sewer pipes, before returning it safely to the environment.

To make our sewer network as strong and efficient as possible, and able to deal with the demand as communities across the North West grow, we’re carrying out improvements across our network of pipes and treatment sites.

As new property housing developments are proposed and constructed around the local area, we aim to create a more resilient wastewater network. Throughout periods of heavy rainfall, the existing sewer network reaches capacity and causes internal and external flooding to properties on Hoyles Lane.

Our project will involve improving approximately 4000m of existing 225mm and 300 mm sewers within the area and upgrading them to 600mm and 750mm sewers, connecting to an existing trunk main near to Lea Gate Pumping Station. Work will commence in early 2024 and is expected to be complete in summer 2025.

  • We understand that construction work can be inconvenient, and our teams will make sure to keep the communities around both of our sites updated as our work progresses.

    Latest update: Our sewer improvement work began at the junction of Sidgreaves Lane and Hoyles Lane in early March, as part of a wider project to allievate future flooding within the area.

    In the coming weeks, as the works progress along Hoyles Lane towards select properties there will be a period of time where unfortunately, we will not be able to provide vehicle access to resident’s private driveways, or on road parking to residents, who live between house numbers 280-272 Hoyles Lane. This will last for around 4 weeks as the works pass by.  Please be assured, if you are going to be directly affected by our access restrictions, our onsite Customer Representative will make contact with you 1 week before any work commencing to notify you of specific dates and times when driveway access will be restricted.

    Why are we doing this work?

    As new property housing developments are proposed and constructed around the local area, we aim to create a more resilient wastewater network. Throughout periods of heavy rainfall, the existing sewer network reaches capacity and causes internal and external flooding to properties on Hoyles Lane.

    Our project will involve improving approximately 4000m of existing sewers. Enabling work commenced in January 2024 and construction is expected to be complete in summer 2025

    You can view our proposed sewer improvement route here.

    What will our work involve?

    Throughout our work, road closures, temporary traffic management and diversion routes will be in place. The new sewer along Hoyles Lane will be installed using open cut methods and will be backfilled and reinstated in sections as we move along the road. Construction work will begin in early March at the junction of Sidgreaves Lane and Hoyles Lane. This will require us to temporarily close a section of Sidgreaves Lane. Once completed, work will then progress along Hoyles Lane. Generally, our teams will be on site between 8am and 6pm from Monday to Friday.

    During our work, the type of equipment and machinery we need to use can be disruptive and throughout this time we’ll do all we can to keep any noise to a minimum. Access to properties and public footpaths will remain unaffected as our programme of work progresses. 

    Thank you for your patience, we do understand that roadworks can be inconvenient, and our team will do all they can to keep disruption for road users and the local community to a minimum.

    You can view our proposed diversion routes here.

    Bus routes: Bus route number 44 will be affected throughout our work. However, temporary bus stops will be arranged with Preston Bus to keep the service running as usual.

    As we move through the projects surrounding Cottam, we'll make sure the community are updated and will provide advanced notice of any changes. If you have any queries, please get in touch and quote project number 80061057. We'll be happy to help.

  • We have also been working to install new water pipes within this area. You may notice us working within private land just off William Young Way (opposite Saddleworth Service Station) and within private lane next to Sitting Goose Public House. We expect this work to finish April 2024. For more information on this project visit the dedicated webpage here or contact us quoting project number 80064760.

  • We're making improvements to the sewer network in Cottam but problems in the sewers can often be caused by flushing wet wipes down the loo or pouring fats, oils and grease down the sink. To find out more about what you can do to help Stop the Block! take a look at the information and advice.

Important Notice

Cold Weather

After a few freezing cold days in the North West, it looks like the temperature is beginning to rise.

As the weather warms up over the next few days, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. It's worth taking some steps now to be prepared just in case this happens to you.

  1. Check your pipes in any cold places such as the loft or garage - can you spot any water dripping from the pipe?
  2. Find your stop tap, which is usually under the kitchen sink and turn it clockwise to turn off the water.
  3. Turn off your heating, open all your taps to drain the system quickly.
  4. Soak up any escaping water with towels.
  5. Check with your home insurance company to see if you’re covered for leaks and bursts or call a plumber.
  6. If you need to find a plumber in your area visit www.watersafe.org.uk
  7. If water has leaked near your electrics switch them off at the mains.

For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter.

Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

As the weather warms up, any frozen pipes in your home will begin to thaw. When this happens, some of your pipes may leak or burst. For more help and advice if you have a frozen or burst pipe head to www.unitedutilities.com/winter. Please think about your family, friends or any vulnerable neighbours and share this information with them too.

Cold Weather

Please click the button below to confirm you have seen this message

I have read this info