WORK has been completed on a £4million project to make a 125-year-old reservoir fit for the 21st century.

Engineers have reprofiled Lower Coldwell Reservoir, in Southfield, near Nelson, to secure the Thursden Valley against flooding, and constructed a new ‘wave wall’.

And anglers have been given the all-clear to return to the Back Lane watercourse, after the three year operation was completed by United Utiltiies.

Keen fishermen from Nelson Angling Club were asked to relocate to the Upper Coldwell Reservoir while the gradient of the reservoir was also reduced.

Some disruption was also experienced by users of the nearby Coldwell Activity Centre, which provides outdoor pursuits for disabled youngsters, but talks took place to minimise the impact.

New fishing cabins have been provided for enthusiasts and a platform has been constructed for disabled anglers. Wider footpaths have also been created.

James Blackburn, from Nelson Angling Association, said: “It has been a long time since we were able to fish the reservoir. It looks superb with the new cabins.”

The reservoir holds up to 83million litres of water and had to be drained, for only the second time in its existence, for the work to commence.

Project manager Carl Sanders said: “Our planning figures show that there is a constant increase in water need in the area.

“We’re looking 20 to 30 years in the future, so we need to ensure in long dry periods this reservoir can meet demand.

"Also we have to take into account the issue of climate change, which shows we are having wetter winters and drier summers, so the new wave wall will help manage levels in the reservoir during downpours.”

The valley beyond has a flooding risk of one in every 10,000 years.