A THREE-YEAR flood relief project in Hotwells has been completed.

Wessex Water has finished work on an overflow structure that will release waste water into the River Avon during heavy rainfall.

One lane of the A4 Portway was closed off while work was carried out on the £4.5 million scheme.

Wessex Water's Nigel Butler, who oversaw the project, said: "One of the main benefits of the project is that it reduces the likelihood of pollution entering the Floating Harbour.

"The scheme is one of a number of projects that has taken place in recent time to clean up Bristol as part of Wessex Water's commitment to ensure our operations do not impact on the environment.

"Areas such as Bristol's Floating Harbour are now attractive places to live, work and visit – a significant contrast to 40 years ago when Bristol's sewerage system was not fit for purpose when millions of gallons of sewage were discharged into the river every day."

Mr Butler, who said the project had not led to severe traffic disruption, added: "Although cranes and machinery have disappeared, below the ground a number of complex chambers and pumps will be working hard during times of intense rainfall to protect our city from flooding."

During the work, engineers had to contend with the huge tidal range of the River Avon.

Mr Butler said: "There were times when we had to plan to literally down tools to allow for the river to flood the construction site. As soon as the tide went out we would then carry on with the work."

The project, known as the Plimsoll Combined Sewer Overflow, is the second flood alleviation scheme Wessex Water has completed in Bristol this year. In May, a £9 million tunnel under the city centre was completed to provide a new sewer from the city centre to Tyndall's Park Road in Clifton.