A PROJECT which will cost in the region of £600,000 started this week, to reduce the risk of flooding in Farnham. During 2001, 12 residential and commercial properties were flooded, when heavy rainfall overwhelmed a sewer beneath Downing Street. CCTV cameras have since been used to check the condition of sewers in the area, and monitoring equipment installed to measure the amount of water flowing through the pipes in different weather conditions. Thames Engineers will be carrying out work along Downing Street which will involve inserting a plastic lining inside a 100m section in the sewer in Downing Street. The sewer is on a shallow gradient, and the new lining will improve the flow of water through the pipe, as well as increasing its strength. The use of a liner, which can be pushed through the sewer manholes, means less of the road has to be excavated. It also avoids the need to lay new pipes under the road or through Gostrey Meadow, which were options that were initially considered. Trial holes have already been dug to check local grounds conditions and the position of other underground utilities in the area where the work will take place. Traffic will not be able to turn left from Union Road into Long Bridge while the work takes place, and will instead be diverted via South Street, Tilford, Great Austins Way, Firgrove Hill, Longbridge and Downing Street. There will be signs put in place to direct motorists through the area. Surrey County Council's highway department has been consulted to ensure that traffic disruption is kept to a minimum. Thames Water's project manager Bob Turner said: "These are important improvements to reduce the risk of floods at local homes and businesses. We would like to apologise for any disruption that the work causes, which we will do our best to keep to a minimum." Work on the project is due to be completed by mid May.