A MAJOR scheme has been launched to prevent flooding in Norman Park.

Environment Agency staff have moved into the Birkby park to carry out repairs on an underground culvert, which carries a stream through the park.

It is designed to avert a collapse or blockages in the culvert, which could lead to problems.

The work is part of a major refurbishment programme, which will look at all 800 culverts across Yorkshire.

An Environment Agency team has so far inspected 200 of the 800 culverts and prioritised those in urgent need of repair.

Project manager Glenn Fieldhouse said: “Culverts are structures which carry water underground.

“They were often built to allow development to take place around them such as roads, homes and businesses. Many people live and work near culverts and may not even know that they are there.

“However, blocked culverts are a significant cause of localised flooding to home owners and businesses.”

Environment Agency staff have informed people whose properties are close to the prioritised culverts and watercourses about the planned work.

A spokesman said every effort was being made to keep disruption to a minimum and affected properties will be restored to their original condition as quickly as possible.

Mr Fieldhouse said: “We always take actions to minimise the impact of our work on people and the environment.

“Where possible, we also look for opportunities to undertake environmental improvements.”

Norman Park straddles Birkby Hall Road. It features many trees, shrubs, lawns, a stream and is home to birds and other wildlife.

The park is owned and maintained by Kirklees Council.

Norman Park was opened to the public in 1896, a time when Birkby was expanding rapidly. It originally featured a series of cascades and a fountain, the remains of which can be seen in the stream.

In 1920 a memorial to those from Birkby and Fartown who died in the First World War was unveiled.

The Friends of Norman Park was formed in 1998 to campaign and raise funds for improvements.