GROVE: A sewage works that feed into Letcombe Brook has been given a £4.5m upgrade.

Thames Water has installed three new storm pumps, each weighing a tonne, and more than half a kilometre of storm discharge pipe at the plant which is north of Cow Lane, behind Williams F1 in Grove.

This upgrade will mean the works can cope with increased waste water flows during heavy rain, which will help reduce the likelihood of sewer flooding as the works will be able to take sewage into the plant at a quicker rate. It is hoped that this improvement will help protect the environment in the Letcombe Brook, a rare chalk stream with a unique ecosystem.

The Wantage sewage works serves 25,000 people and it is hoped this addition will allow it to expand in future.