Spending to rise in bid to stop Ouseburn flooding

Jun 22 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

A PACKAGE of schemes will reduce flooding risk in the North East. The Environment Agency is working with Newcastle City Council, Northumbrian Water, Gateshead Council and communities to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses.

The schemes include raising the height of two bridges across the Ouseburn, reviewing the drainage system in Newcastle and Gateshead, and working with residents to keep local streams free from blockages and rubbish.

The projects are part-funded by Local Levy money which is raised from local authorities, and co-ordinated by Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee through the Environment Agency.

Levy programme manager Peter Kerr said: “The causes of flooding can be extremely complex and in many cases cannot be fixed by simply building a flood bank.

“Over the last few years we have not only seen flooding from watercourses increase but also from surface water. One lesson we have learned is that organisations must work together to reduce flood risk, and these partnership projects are a vital step towards achieving this.”

Earlier this year, Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee announced it will raise £2.3m from local authorities to fund a range of schemes for 2009/10. Last year the levy fund was £1.9m, but the committee agreed to raise the amount by 20% for the new financial year.

One complex issue which the committee and its partners are tackling is the Ouseburn which flows through Newcastle.

During heavy rain, water from the river backs up into the drainage system in some areas.