Work is just starting on the £70m Lancashire project, which will take four years to complete.

The C2V+ joint venture will build two large storm water storage tanks and new pumps at the Schola Green Pumping Station, upgrade Morecambe wastewater treatment works at Middleton and lay a 7km sewer pipe between the two sites.

The work will help increase flow capacity to cater for future growth and development, reduce the number of stormwater spills per bathing season from Schola Green and improve the quality of treated effluent from Morecambe sewage works, using the latest treatment process technology known as Nereda.

Richard Towse, board member for C2V+, said: “We will deliver these improvements in close consultation with the local community and will use innovative techniques to minimise inconvenience and deliver high quality wastewater treatment.”

The new sewer pipe will run from Schola Green Pumping Station, underneath the railway line, around Morecambe FC ground, along Westcliffe Drive, across the Heysham Bypass (A683) and Middleton Road before entering Morecambe Treatment Works.