An Environment Agency flood protection scheme in Hexham is set to progress forward, after the final business case was approved and funding secured for the £5.2m Flood Alleviation Scheme.
The scheme in Hexham will protect businesses and homes from flooding on two industrial estates.
Funding for the new flood schemes is from the Government’s £5.2bn investment to protect 336,000 properties across England by 2027, constructing flood and coastal defences, in addition to contributions from Northumberland County Council.
Up to £193m of this government funding will be invested in the North East, with flood alleviation schemes planned for Hexham and Team Valley.
On December 5, 2015, during Storm Desmond, around 90 properties were flooded from the River Tyne at the Bridge End and Tyne Mills Industrial Estates. Businesses on the industrial estates have been contacted with updates on the scheme, including the design and construction timescales.
The proposed flood scheme will reduce flood risk posed by the River Tyne with approximately 600m of flood walls and grass embankments.
The improvement works to the Bridge End Industrial Estate will include the construction of a new flood defence wall and short sections of flood embankment from the Reiver Sports site to the existing flood embankment at Egger.
In the Tyne Mills Industrial Estate, a short length of embankment will be constructed across Skinnersburn, connecting into a new flood defence wall running along the perimeter of Northumberland County Council’s Tyne Mills depot, through to the Peth Head pumping station.
The Environment Agency is in discussions with key landowners to gain agreement for construction access and permissions are being sought from the Local Planning Authority and Local Lead Flood Authority to carry out work on the scheme.
An Environment Agency spokesperson said: “We are now entering into the final design stages for the embankment on the Skinnerburn and continue to remain committed to delivering an improved standard of protection for the business on the estates.
“Our ever-changing climate is expected to mean wetter winters, more intense rainfall and, unfortunately, more frequent flooding in future.
“Our proposed scheme aims to reduce the risk of flooding at both industrial estates and will protect homes and businesses up to the level of the Storm Desmond 2015 flood event.
“Once planning consent and access agreements are in place, our principal contractor is due on site in Hexham in December 2021, with completion of the scheme running into late summer/autumn 2022.”
