Five weeks of Improvement works as part of a £60m project has begun at a reservoir.

Contractors Mott Macdonald Bentley (MMB) are working at the Chelker reservoir, near Addingham, on behalf of Yorkshire Water to maintain and modernise reservoirs across the region.

Workers will replace valves housed in the water tower, but Yorkshire Water insists people living near to the site will not be disrupted by the work.

John Bond of Yorkshire Water’s community engagement team, said: “The work being undertaken at Chelker is part of a five year, improvement programme we are undertaking at 44 reservoir sites in West, South and North Yorkshire, where water is collected before being treated and delivered safely to homes and businesses across Yorkshire.

“The reservoirs, many of which were built in Victorian times to meet the demands of the Industrial Revolution, continuously undergo detailed inspections to ensure they meet modern-day reservoir safety standards, and this work is just part of a programme to ensure Chelker continues to meet these standards.”

Neither Yorkshire Water nor its contract partners will require access to any properties, and residents are advised to look out for bogus callers.

Genuine employees of both companies carry identity cards which can be checked by telephoning 0800 1 38 78 78.

Yorkshire Water say the work is not related to controversial plans for new turbines on the site.

Villagers have opposed plans by Kelda Water Services (KWS), a subsidiary company of Yorkshire Water, to replace ageing wind turbines at Chelker with new 80-metre structures, although the company is in consultations about reducing the number from three to two.

To find out more about Yorkshire Water's £60 million investment programme at the region's reservoirs visit yorkshirewater.com/reservoirs