A highways improvement scheme to tackle flooding on a Newcastle-under-Lyme road begins today (Monday 2 November).

The Staffordshire County Council scheme, at Chemical Lane, Longbridge Hayes, has been designed in partnership with Network Rail and Severn Trent Water.

The scheme is expected to take around three months to complete.

It will see the installation of a new drainage system to take surface water from the road near the double bend, which is prone to flooding, to an existing drain to the south.

A combination of temporary lane and road closures are due be in place throughout the works.

Access to businesses will be maintained at all times via the Chemical Lane/A500 junctions at either end of the road and a signed diversion will also be in place for local traffic.

Andrew Mynors, Cabinet Member for Connectivity at Staffordshire County Council, said: "The flooding on the lane has been an issue for many years, so it's great to see work start on a long-term solution.

"It's been a complex matter involving a number of partner agencies, but by working together we believe we've come up with a solution.

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"This new gravity drainage system will help reduce the impact of flooding on the highway, taking water from the road down to an outfall about 220 metres away.

"Once the scheme is complete, we will also be increasing maintenance of the new system to make sure it continues to adequately drain surface water from the road.

"As ever, our crews will be doing their best to get the work done as safely and efficiently as possible and we thank people in advance for their co-operation."

The temporary pumping equipment will remain until the scheme is completed.