Flood protection funding welcomed
15 Jul 2020 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Hundreds of homes in the county are to get better flood protection thanks to new Government funding.
Two schemes in Northumberland - at Ponteland and Hexham - will benefit from extra funding from a share of a £5.2bn Government funding pot that will be spent between 2021 and 2027 on flood protection.
The Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme has been allocated an additional £450,000 towards its £3 million cost. This accelerated funding ensures construction on vital work can go ahead this summer. Once complete, the scheme will better protect 279 Ponteland homes from flooding.
And the Hexham Industrial Estate Flood Scheme has received a boost of £1million towards the £4.1 million cost. The scheme aims to reduce flood risk from the River Tyne to up to 90 residential and non-residential properties on Hexham’s Bridge End and Tyne Mills industrial estates, and will contribute to maintaining existing business activities, safeguarding jobs and supporting future economic growth.
Councillor Nick Oliver, the County Council’s representative on the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, said: “This is very welcome news for residents and businesses in two of our towns.
“As we’ve seen before in our county, flooding can devastate homes and destroy businesses so we’re delighted with this extra funding which will enable faster progress with these vital schemes.”
The schemes will be delivered by the Environment Agency in partnership with the county council.
Leila Huntington, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager in the North East, said: “We’re delighted we’ve been allocated this funding which ensures we can continue our vital work to better protect homes and business in Ponteland and Hexham from flooding.”