The next phase of £1.5million flood alleviation scheme in North Tyneside will begin soon.
The project, which aims to benefit Monkseaton, Shiremoor, Murton and Wellfield, involves capturing and storing surface water runoff and releasing it in a more controlled manner.
Capita has designed and is delivering the project for North Tyneside Council. Both organisations form part of North Tyneside Surface Water and Drainage Partnership which since 2012 has improved how the borough prepares for and deals with future flooding.
Earlier this year, for phase one of the project, three large dry storage basins and improved drainage ditches were created in the next fields next to the Fairfield Green estate at West Monkseaton.
Following the completion of landowner negotiations, phase two can now start. It will take place in fields to the north of the Metro line and to the west of Wellfield, where a naturally-occurring flood plain already exists.
Through lowering field levels, the flood plain storage capacity will be increased by around 7,000 cubic metres. The flood plain will drain into an adjacent ditch which sconnects to a culvert that runs under Wellfield.
A small earth mound will be constructed to allow a controlled flow of surface water from the flood plain and ditch, providing an increased level of protection for Wellfield residents. Work is due for completion by spring 2018.
Cllr John Harrison, Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport, said: “Following Thunder Thursday we were determined to increase flood protection for our residents.
“There has been a big investment to help reduce the flooding risk – dozens of schemes have been completed so far.
“I’m delighted for residents in Monkseaton, Murton, Shiremoor and Wellfield that the next phase of this important project is about to begin.”
Capita’s North Tyneside Partnership Director, Richard Carmichael, said: “We’ve investigated, designed and delivered around 50 flood alleviation schemes for North Tyneside Council.
“The works to date have increased the flood protection for more than 1,200 homes - it’s great news that work on the second phase of this project can now get underway.”
The third part of the flood alleviation scheme will see the creation of a large dry storage basin and associated improved drainage in the field to the west of Briar Vale.
Agreements with the private landowner are being progressed and work is expected to start in 2018 once the process is concluded.
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Notes to editors:
North Tyneside Surface Water and Drainage Partnership brings together a range of organisations to help improve how the borough prepares for and deals with future flooding incidents.
These include North Tyneside Council – supported by its technical services partner Capita - Northumbrian Water, the Environment Agency and emergency services.
As the lead flood authority, North Tyneside Council has a statutory duty to act proactively to reduce the risk of flooding across the borough and investigate flooding problems, wherever they are. This includes ordinary watercourses, surface water runoff and highway drainage. The council committed to investing £4.5million to help reduce the flooding risk in North Tyneside.
Northumbrian Water is responsible for the drainage of foul water sewers, combined sewers and the water supply while the Environment Agency is responsible for main rivers and coastal erosion.
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