High Peak MP Jon Pearce has visited United Utilities Chapel en le Frith’s Wastewater Treatment Works to find out more about how a £12 million upgrade is enhancing river water quality in Black Brook and the River Goyt.

The project, which began in May 2023, has seen the introduction of new wastewater treatment methods which reduce phosphorus levels and improve the quality of the water that is released from the facility at the end of the process.

New storm water storage capable of holding 5,000 cubic metres has also been introduced. Sewer capacity has also been increased in nearby Charley Lane in a move to reduce flooding and increase resilience.

The £12 million project brings the total invested by United Utilities in the High Peak area to more than £82 million in the past five years with upgrades already carried out at Glossop and Whaley Bridge Wastewater Treatment Works.

Further investment to reduce the number of times that 10 storm overflows operate in the area is also planned for the next five years, alongside projects to install sustainable drainage solutions to help reduce the risk of flooding.

Chris Borradaile, Wastewater Lead for United Utilities in High Peak said:

“It is great to see this project come to completion. We have an ongoing commitment to improve river quality across the region. This project will enhance the quality of Black Brook which feeds into the Rover Goyt and ultimately the River Mersey.

“Introducing more storage capacity for storm water will also play an important role in improving river quality – the new storage we have introduced will reduce the need for storm overflows to operate.

“We have also increased capacity in the local sewer network at Chaley Lane. Now this work is complete we will be reviewing landscaping options along with access to the public footpath over the humpbacked bridge and we thank local people for their patience while this important work was carried out.”

Jon Pearce, MP for High Peak commented:

“It was really useful to visit Chapel’s Wastewater Treatment Works and find out more about this multi-million-pound upgrade to enhance river quality in Black Brook and the River Goyt.

“I’m particularly pleased that the project means that new storm water storage and sewer capacity has been increased in Charley Lane in a move to reduce flooding. I'm glad that United Utilities are making this investment in our area, but we will continue to hold them to account.“