United Utilities is set to start work on a project to improve the quality of water in the River Irwell in Ramsbottom later this year.

The company, which manages water and wastewater treatment works, will begin construction work on the project in autumn.

The project will involve building an underground storage tank on a parcel of land between the Irwell and Nuttall Road.

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The new storm tank will hold three-and-a-half million litres, more than an Olympic swimming pool, and will help to reduce the number of times the storm overflow operates during periods of heavy rainfall.

These improvements will play their part in boosting the water quality of the River Irwell.

After getting underway in autumn, the company predicts the project will take between two-and-a-half and three years to be completed.

A new compound area and a construction area will be required along with the removal of vegetation and a footpath for the duration of the work.

Residents are being invited to find out more about the project on next week on Tuesday, January 24 at Ramsbottom Civic Hall on Market Place.

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United Utilities’ representatives will be on hand to answer questions between 4pm and 7.30pm.

As part of its Better Rivers; Better North West campaign, United Utilities has committed to reducing the number of spills from storm overflows by at least a third, between 2020 and 2025.

This will be supported through a £230m investment programme at sites across the region, leading to 184km of improved waterways.