Southern Water has spoken to customers about plans to upgrade the sewer system in Milford-on-Sea.

Sixty people attended a drop-in day at Milford Village Community Centre to find out more about the proposed flood and pollution alleviation scheme.

During heavy rain, sewers can become overloaded with stormwater which can cause manholes to overflow. Together with our contractor, 4Delivery, we plan to install a relief sewer from the footpath at the back of Glebe Close to a large storage tank in the field alongside Keyhaven Road, via Swallow Drive and Plover Drive. During storms, this storage tank will hold excess water until the rain passes. It will then be pumped back into the sewer in Keyhaven Road.

At the drop-in day, the project team showed residents the proposed pipeline route and answered questions about construction and traffic management.

The next step is to apply for planning permission. If granted, construction is expected to start late-autumn and complete in the spring of 2012.