Flood defence system proves its worth early
Sep 26 2007 by Ben Guy, The Journal
WORK on a Northumberland town’s new £8m flood defence system is nearly complete.
Environment Agency staff are working at various locations across Hexham to install the new system, which will protect around 250 homes and businesses.
The work is being done by a team of divers who are completing a floodwater outfall pipe at Tyne Green Park, and by digger operators at Wydon Burn Reservoir, which is being turned into a flood storage area, wetland and fishery.
Engineer Nigel Darling said officers were working against the clock to make sure the system is in place by the end of the autumn.
He said: “The flood scheme in Hexham has been a major undertaking.
“Although it is not quite finished, it has already helped to reduce flooding in the town on a number of occasions.”
Heavy rain in July threatened more than 100 homes and businesses downstream of Tanner’s Yard but our work on Wydon Burn Reservoir meant that we were able to divert flood water from the burn into the storage area, which helped to prevent millions of pounds worth of damage in the town.”
The reservoir has a total capacity of 24,000 cubic metres and was used in July when the town experienced three major storms in six days.
A total of 20 fishing platforms and one kilometre of footpaths are currently being installed at the reservoir, and the wetland planting will take place in spring when the fishery has been filled.
It will be stocked with mixed coarse fish and is due to be open next summer.
Workmen are also installing trash screens at Tanner’s Yard and Hexham House Park which will help prevent debris blocking watercourses.
Mr Darling added: “We are also working on improving the entrance to the culvert on Halgut Burn and installing a flood drain in Tanner’s Yard which will catch flood water flowing down the road.”
The scheme has included deepening parts of the Cockshaw Burn channel bed to allow it to carry more flood water into the new, larger culvert at Tanner’s Row. Existing flood defences have also been raised in areas.
