WORK on a £7m project to improve sewers in Botley and North Hinksey is on track to finish in September.

Thames Water said yesterday the scheme to reduce flooding risks was 85 per cent complete.

Work began last October to increase the capacity of the sewer network after 36 properties suffered sewage flooding in the past five years.

Andrew Popple, Thames Water’s head of programme delivery, said: “It’s essential we get this work done for the long-term benefit of Botley but we do appreciate it has been disruptive. We’re asking people to bear with us while we enter the final phases of the work.”

Resurfacing of roads in North Hinksey is due to start on Thursday and be finished next week.

After that, just 300m of new sewer pipes will be left to lay in North Hinksey Lane, out of the two miles of sewers in and around Botley, while improvements will be made to pipes to North Hinksey pumping station and in Cumnor Hill and Eynsham Road.

Debby Hallett, the Vale of White Horse district councillor for North Hinksey and Wytham, said: “The residents affected by this work have shown incredible patience, and are seeing good results after the recent heavy rain.”