RESIDENTS and business owners are being given the chance to get a sneak preview of works aimed at preventing pollution in the waters of the Lake District.

United Utilities is to host an exhibition showing off the latest phase of its work along the A592 near Bowness. Last year, the water company began the first stage of a £40m project to lay a new 6.5km sewer along the route as part of a programme to improve water quality in Windermere.

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The wastewater project, which also includes upgrades to the area’s wastewater treatment works, is designed to reduce the number of times the sewer network overflows into the mere during heavy storms. The overflows can cause algal blooms, inhibit aquatic life and potentially impact on the recreational uses of the lake.

The pipe-laying work stopped at Easter for the main tourist season, with the project continuing at the wastewater treatment plant sites at Windermere and Ambleside and in areas away from the main road. Now a new exhibition, detailing the works due to re-start in November, will take place from 1pm until 7pm on Thursday September 7 at The Belsfield Hotel, Bowness.

Yasir Mustafa, United Utilities’ senior project manager, said: "This important project to improve the water quality of Windermere will have vital long-term benefits for wildlife, tourism and the local economy. We know that the roadworks are inconvenient and that’s why we have planned to do most of it during the winter months.

“We would like to thank the community and motorists for their patience and understanding during our work. We hope people will take the opportunity to come and talk to us at the exhibition if they have any questions or concerns about the next phase of work.”

Between November and Christmas the sewer laying work will be carried out under temporary traffic lights with a lane closure to move along as the work progresses. After the new year break, between January and Easter 2018, there will be a road closure from the Beech Hill Hotel to Moor Crag and a diversion signposted using the A590.

During this time the car park at Glebe Road in Bowness will be closed to the public to allow work to be carried out at the pumping station there.

Further work will take place in Ferry Nab car park from September 4 to October 20. It will remain open but with a reduced number of parking spaces.

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