Severn Trent is hosting a community drop-in session for residents in Stroud today (December 7), where they can hear about ambitious plans to upgrade the waste network in their area.

The water and waste company is investing £25 million to help prevent sewer flooding and river pollution across the Gloucestershire town. This major overhaul of the sewer network includes plans to;

• Install approximately three kilometres of bigger waste pipes to create more capacity during heavy rainfall
• Separate surface water from the sewage network
• Create additional storage with smart controls, holding water back during large storm events and returning it back to the treatment works when the rainfall has subsided
• Improvements at Stanley Downton Sewage Treatment Works

Nick Burtoft, lead project manager at Severn Trent, said: "We're passionate about taking care of our environment, which is why we're taking action in Stroud to protect homes and rivers from sewer flooding.

"We know this is a topic our customers feel really strongly about. We feel the same, so we're investing £25 million to completely overhaul the waste network across the town, which will go a long way towards protecting the River Frome and other local watercourses.

"Communities are set to benefit from increased capacity and state-of-the-art technology that'll completely transform the waste network that will last for generations.

"Before we start work in early 2022, we want to meet with local people and business owners to share our plans and to listen to any concerns. It's important to us that people who live and work in the area can give their input."

The team from Severn Trent will be at The Subscription Rooms, George Street, Stroud, GL5 1AE on December 7 from 4pm to 7pm.