United Utilities is planning an £8 million clean-up programme for the River Tame.

The water company has met with local councillors and members of the public to outline plans to upgrade the sewer network around Stalybridge.The work is to improve a number of sewer overflow points on the River Tame.

The overflows, many of them dating back to Victorian times, are designed to work like safety valves during storm conditions. When the sewer system fills up with rainwater, the overflow points release the excess safely into the river to prevent flooding on roads and footpaths. Unfortunately, this can lead to sewage litter such as sanitary products getting into the river which looks very unsightly.

The improvement work involves laying bigger sewers so they can carry more water and will overflow less frequently. Meanwhile new screens will be fitted at the overflows, to hold back any litter so that it is carried to the treatment works for removal.

David Baines, United Utilities project manager, explained:

"This is great news for everyone in the local community who enjoys using the river - especially anglers and walkers. When we have finished this project the River Tame will be cleaner than it has been for generations.

"Since Victorian times these overflows have been doing an essential job to prevent flooding. They are still essential today but we need to upgrade them in line with modern expectations and the latest environmental legislation.

"There will be some unavoidable disruption due to the nature and scale of the engineering works - such as lane closures and traffic management. We have been working very closely with the council highways department and we'll do everything possible to keep any disruption to a minimum. I would just ask people to bear with us - the long term benefits will certainly outweigh any temporary convenience."

The work, which is due to start in April and continue until summer 2011 involves 15 overflows. The £8 million clean-up programme follows on from a major £36 million upgrade scheme at Ashton under Lyne wastewater treatment works which was completed last year - meaning the wastewater from 46,000 homes in Tameside is now much cleaner when it is returned to the river.