Work goes on to save homes from flooding
WORK is continuing on improving Morpeth's river defences in the wake of the 2008 floods that left much of it under water.
Some 17m in investment is being lined up to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 1,000 properties.
More than 2m has already been spent on repairs and other work in the two years since the town suffered its worst recorded flooding.
Phil Welton, senior flood risk engineer at the Environment Agency, said: "A huge amount of work has been done in Morpeth since the floods of 2008.
"The town is better prepared for flooding now than it has ever been, thanks to the work of residents, landowners and the flood action group.
"More still needs to be done, though, and we are continuing to plan the proposed flood defence scheme.
"However, we can never prevent flooding altogether, so it is vital that people check to see if they are in a vulnerable area and log on to the
Environment Agency website to find out how they can protect themselves."
After the 2008 floods, repairs were needed to the town's defences to ensure they were in good condition, and the last of that work was completed in May.
Repairs carried out included the replacement of the stone facing along a stretch of wall in Carlisle View, the fitting of waterproof seals on flood walls throughout the town, and the rebuilding of a wall in the Newmarket car park.
Culverts along the Cotting Burn were badly damaged during the September 2008 floods, so extensive repair work has been carried out, including removal of debris and silt.
Tonnes of gravel deposited during the flood have also been removed from the River Wansbeck near Oldgate Bridge.
The Environment Agency has created a new evacuation route for residents of High Stanners after water blocked the only access road to and from properties in the Challoner's Gardens area last time round.
The evacuation route was paid for by the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee.
The 17m flood defence scheme proposed for Morpeth will be considered by the Environment Agency's national review group in November.
Planning for the scheme began in November 2007 and, after investigations by engineers and consultation with the public, the current proposals include upstream storage and the creation of new walls.
If business case approval and funding is secured, the next phase of work would be to complete detailed designs and apply for planning permission.
The agency has recruited residents to act as wardens to help their neighbours prepare for future floods.
"A group of Morpeth residents has formed a community flood warden group to work as a local contact with all the different agencies involved during an incident," said Low Stanners flood warden Tim Pinkney.
"A community flood plan is currently being finalised, and it is hoped it will be implemented in the near future."
The agency also offers a free warning service to properties at risk of flooding in Morpeth.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blyth
Monday 21 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 6 C to 11 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: 8 C to 15 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: North
