A YEARS-LONG battle that started when raw sewage began leaking onto one of the busiest roads in Barnsley is finally set to end after it was confirmed a £1.9m project will begin next month.

The work, which is set to start at the end of August, will see a new sewer and sewage pumping station installed on the land near to Balk Farm Court in Birdwell.

There has been concerns for years that raw sewage had been pumping out onto a field next to Sheffield Road, with it then flowing onto the road network and causing issues for residents.

Coun Andy Wray, who represents the Rockingham ward, told the Chronicle that he was first contacted by locals in 2023.

The Chronicle understands that when the houses on Balk Farm Court were originally built, no drainage was available and they subsequently were not placed onto the sewage network.

Instead, a sceptic tank had to be installed and there was a small drain going under the A61 to take surface water away.

But concerns started due to a blockage in the system which added to the sewage problem for residents.

A spokesperson for Yorkshire Water told the Chronicle that the work is expected to cost around £1.9m and will take seven months to complete once work starts at the end of August.

They added: “We will be installing a new sewer and new sewage pumping station in land next to Balk Farm Court, to bring six properties here onto the public sewer system and prevent any further impact on the environment caused by leakage from existing privately-owned septic tanks.

“Building a new wastewater network takes time, but we’ll be working as quickly as we can to get the work done.”

Yorkshire Water say that although the issue of the sewage leak is not their fault, they are working to ensure it is fixed - with a completion date set for February 2026.

Galliford Try - a construction company based in Uxbridge - are the main contractors behind the work.

Coun Wray said that he hopes the work will finally resolve the issue.

He added: “I first reported this issue to Yorkshire Water in September 2023 who informed me that due to its proximity of a water treatment plant nearby, this could be an urgent matter.

“Its not a nice sight and certainly not a nice smell.

“Since 2023, I’ve been constantly receiving complaints and asking Yorkshire Water for updates.

“The footpath has had to be closed due to this leak.

“Now two years on, the issue will be hopefully resolved.”