Contractor Appointed for Major Flood Scheme

Construction of a scheme to manage and reduce flood risk in South Tyneside has taken a step forward. 

The Council's Cabinet last night approved the award of a contract to design and build a flood alleviation scheme in Cleadon.

Bam Nuttall, who will be working with scheme designers Royal Haskoning, will undertake pre-construction work such as detailed designs, ground investigations and environmental survey work as well as construction of the scheme.

The Council received confirmation earlier this month of over £1million of funding from the Environment Agency for the project which is scheduled to start this summer.

It will provide protection to over 129 properties in Cleadon for up to and including a 1 in 100-year flooding event, which is an extreme storm event.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety, said: "We all know how devastating and disrupting flooding is and the huge impact it has on residents and businesses alike.

"It is increasingly important that we have robust plans for flood management in place to ensure that people are better protected from the risk of flooding.

"Flooding has occurred in several locations within the Cleadon Village area so this scheme is key in shielding the area from future flood devastation and improving its overall resilience."

The Council will now begin developing a proposal for the scheme. It has been looking at economically viable options at two areas in particular around Cleadon Lea and Sunderland Road where there are opportunities to mitigate surface water flooding through the use of sustainable urban drainage options.

Other options for flood risk reduction include embankments, ditches and grassed depressions often known as wet detention basins, which will have a wider social and environmental benefit, including the creation of valuable wildlife habitat.  Similar methods were implemented in the award-winning Monkton flood alleviation scheme.

There will be a community drop-in event at Cleadon Methodist Church on Tuesday 3 March between 3.30pm and 7pm where residents can voice their thoughts and opinions on the scheme. 

Councillor Atkinson added: "We want to work closely with the local community to hear about any flooding issues residents have witnessed or experienced in the area.

"This is a great opportunity for people to meet the team, ask any questions and find out more about the proposed measures being taken to provide better protection for properties across the area."