A major scheme to tackle flooding in Brunton Park, Newcastle, is complete.
The scheme will reduce the risk of flooding to more than one hundred properties in Mitford Gardens, Princes Close, Fairway Close, Princes Road, Waterbury Road and Clayworth Road.
The three sources of flooding in Brunton Park were from the water company’s surface and foul sewer networks and from the River Ouseburn.
Work involved installing 380 metres of new river channel to divert the Ouseburn from the area that suffers from flooding; using the current section of Ouseburn river channel and a new storage basin to drain and store more than seven million litres of surface water; constructing 650 metres of flood defences (walls and earth embankment) and installing two kilometres of new sewer pipe and a new storage tank, which will hold up to 450,000 litres of water.
The newly created river channel and storage basin, known as SuDS (sustainable urban drainage system), will also create a valuable wetland habitat for wildlife. Kingfisher perches and an otter holt will also be installed.
“I am very proud to have lead the project team on behalf of Northumbrian Water. The innovation and creativity, which resulted in the best outcomes for customers and the community, were possible because of the partnership approach with the Environment Agency and Newcastle City Council. It was great to be part of the team.
“We would like to thank residents in the area and the City of Newcastle Golf Club for their patience and cooperation.
Sir James Bevan, Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, said: “It’s our priority to do everything we can to protect people from flooding and we are spending more than £2.5 billion to build flood schemes around the country, which will better protect 300,000 homes by 2021.
The play park on Lincoln Green had to be removed while this work was carried out. A new play park has been built, in partnership with Newcastle City Council and the local community.
For further information contact Paul White, Northumbrian Water, on 0191 301 5325, Lyndsey Clarke, Environment Agency, on 0800 917 9251.