Rothbury residents promised flood defence improvements

Apr 25 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

WORRIED families in a Northumberland town hit by severe flooding last year are being promised they have not been forgotten – and that plans to improve flood defences are in the pipeline.

The Environment Agency revealed yesterday that it is investigating how best to upgrade flood defences for Rothbury and other at-risk communities on the River Coquet.

More than 60 homes in Rothbury were flooded last September when the river burst its banks and over-topped existing defences, and flooding also affected the villages of Weldon, Felton and Warkworth.

Now the Agency says it is looking at options for flood alleviation measures in the River Coquet catchment - and will consult local residents about them as soon as possible.

The news came after Rothbury county councillor, Steven Bridgett, voiced anger that the Coquetdale town’s need for improved defences is being ignored, while multi-million pound improvements are planned for Morpeth.

Both Rothbury and Morpeth were hit by some of the worst flooding since records began during torrential rainfall on September 5 and 6, but Coun Bridgett claims the Agency is being complacent about his area while pressing ahead with work elsewhere.