Two additional storm overflow projects to start in Leeds

Yorkshire Water will begin two storm overflow discharge reduction projects in Farsley and Morley over the next few weeks, in a bid to improve the water quality in Bagley Beck and Dean Beck. 

The projects – a £3.1m scheme in Farsley, and a £1.5m scheme in Morley - are part of a wider £1.5bn programme of works between 2025 and 2030 to reduce the operation of storm overflows across the region. 

The first of the two schemes will begin on Monday 19 October on Bagley Lane in Farsley. Contract partners M Group will be installing an underground storage tank in the combined sewer network, able to hold 745,000 litres of wastewater. 

The additional storage can hold excess wastewater and rainwater when the sewer is at capacity during periods of bad weather. This reduces the likelihood of discharges from storm overflows, which operate as relief valves in bad weather to prevent the system backing up and flooding homes, gardens, and businesses. 

When capacity is returned to normal, the stored flows will be sent to the wastewater treatment works for regular treatment.  

The scheme will reduce discharges from Bagley Beck Rodley CSO, improving the water quality in Bagley Beck. 

The work is expected to take 11 months to complete. To enable the work to be completed safely, there will be temporary traffic lights in place on Bagley Lane for the duration of the project. 

The second scheme is set to start one week later, on Monday 26 October, on Geldard Road in Morley. 

It will also see an underground storage tank, able to hold 500,000 litres of water, constructed by M Group in a field next to the road. The work will take 11 months, and when complete, will reduce discharges from Rooms Lane CSO, improving the water quality in Dean Beck. 

Lydia Mitchell, project manager at Yorkshire Water, said: “Our storm overflows are operating more than we, and our customers, would like, and we’re committed to reducing the number of discharges. We have schemes underway across Yorkshire, and these two schemes will mark 16 schemes to have either completed or begun in Leeds since April 2025, which is a significant undertaking. 

"We know that this work will be disruptive, and we’re incredibly grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding in advance.” 

Both projects follow other storm overflow projects getting underway in Farsley and Morley, with work underway on South Drive and Dewsbury Road, respectively.  

Other projects underway in Leeds include: 

• Wyther Lane, Kirkstall 
• Kirkstall Educational Cricket Club, Kirkstall 
• Village Place, Burley 
• Spen Lane, Headingley 
• Fraser Avenue, Horsforth 
• Sussex Avenue near Hunslet 
• Jack Lane, also near Hunslet 
• Claremont, Horsforth 
• Canal Road, Armley 
• Temple Avenue, near Temple Newsam 

Schemes in Beeston and Stourton, which were some of the first storm overflow projects to begin as part of the £1.5bn investment, are already complete, and delivering benefits for Farnley Wood Beck and the River Aire, respectively. 

The storm overflow project is part of Yorkshire Water’s £8.3bn investment into its services and the environment over the next five years.