£13m sewage works unveiled

A new £13 million sewage treatment works in Shrewsbury that should rid the area of swarms of flies has been officially opened.

Severn Trent Water unveiled its new upgraded Monkmoor Sewage Treatment Works yesterday, aimed at ending the lengthy nightmare for thousands of residents plagued by the insects.

Company managers claim that the flagship works should also reduce smells from the site.

The new works will clean more than 20 million litres of waste water every day, serving 82,000 people.

A huge renovation project at the site began back in April 2005, following complaints from residents on the nearby Telford Estate, including a petition signed by more than 650 people.

Severn Trent has extended the Monkmoor site to build a new treatment plant and remove 12 old sewage treatment filter beds and humus tanks.

It has also invested in landscaping work at the site to ensure it continues to flourish for wildlife. Work on the project finished 13 weeks ahead of schedule.

Shrewsbury mayor Councillor Roger Evans was at the official opening ceremony yesterday afternoon along with managers from the water company.

Former sewage works employee Ken Leah, 65, who worked at the site for 50 years, unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the occasion.

Sewage treatment manager Dave Ashlin said: "We have been intrusive to the local community but we have worked very closely with residents who have been so understanding and we thank them for that.

"This site has been here since 1900 and has served the town very well for so many years.

"But we had to invest and improve and we are moving into a new era."

Councillor Evans said: "Monkmoor will provide quality sewage treatment to the town of Shrewsbury for the foreseeable future.

"On behalf of the community I would like to thank Severn Trent Water for taking us to the 21st century."

By Steve Todd