GREAT Sankey and Penketh sewer improvement work moved into its next phase at the weekend which will mean noisy machinery and work at weekends until the end of July.

United Utilities engineers will be constructing a new outfall into the Mersey to reduce the risk of flooding.

Tony Lowles, project co-ordinator, said: "The new outfall will be positioned adjacent to the Environment Agency’s outfall from Penketh Brook into the Mersey.

"It is vital our engineers only work when the tide is sufficiently low so that they stay safe.”

The water giant said the outfall is a ‘considerable distance’ away from homes but an impact hammer, which can be ‘particularly noisy’, will be used at times.

The hammer will not be used prior to 8am or after 7pm Monday to Friday; prior to 10am or after 6pm on Saturday and prior to 10am or after 6pm on Sunday.

Mr Lowles added: “We are doing everything possible to ensure our extended working hours cause as little disruption as possible.”

For further details visit unitedutilities.com/sewerimprovements or call 670 383, quoting project number 80019421.