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Environment Agency - Flood work finishes on North East mill race scheme

www.environment-agency.gov.uk

28 May 2010

Flood work finishes on North East mill race scheme

Residents in a North East village will see work finish this month on a £350,000 project to reduce the risk of flooding from a mill race.

Around 73 properties are at risk of flooding in Blackhall Mill, near Gateshead, which are close to the River Derwent.

In September 2008, around 10 properties flooded because water in the mill race couldn’t flow into the river because water levels in the Derwent were so high.

The Environment Agency is reducing the likelihood of this happening by building a culvert from the mill race to take the water a further 300 metres downstream where the river level is lower.

Project manager Steve Wilkinson said: “When levels in the River Derwent are high, the water cannot flow away and ponds up around Derwent Street and River View. In 2008, the fire service spent many hours pumping water out of the mill race to avoid further flooding, so we have designed a scheme which will reduce the likelihood of this happening again.”

The Environment Agency is also installing a new trash screen to catch debris before it enters the new culvert and causes a blockage.

In addition, staff have also been working with residents on how they can protect themselves against flooding.

Seven people have volunteered to become flood wardens who will act as the eyes and ears of the community when a flood is likely.

Their task is to alert vulnerable residents, put any preparations in place and liaise with the Environment Agency about the situation on the ground.

A total of 42 residents in Blackhall Mill are eligible to receive an Environment Agency warning when flooding is likely, and 57 per cent of people have signed up to receive the free service.

Environment Agency officer Sarah McCrea is urging everyone to find out whether their home is covered by the warning service, and to sign up.

She said: “Our warning service is not just for people who own their properties but for anyone who rents a house, has a business or maybe just has a garage in an area which is likely to flood.

“People also need to think about how they can protect property other than their homes such as their cars, or whether they would be trapped during a flood because the exit from their flat would be blocked.”
People can find out whether they are eligible for a flood warning by ringing the Environment Agency’s Floodline number on 0845 988 1188. Alternatively you can log on to www.environment-agency.gov.uk for further information.