Morpeth flood victims have say on defence plan

Apr 30 2009 by Dave Black, The Journal

FLOOD victims whose homes were devastated almost eight months ago turned out in force yesterday to view multi-million pound plans aimed at protecting them from a repeat of the catastrophe.

People in Morpeth - where 1,000 homes and businesses were deluged when the River Wansbeck turned into a raging torrent in September - were given the chance to have their say on a £13m project to improve the town’s flood defences.

Environment Agency officials were delighted yesterday after scores of local people came through the doors within an hour of the exhibition opening at 3pm in the St James’ Community Centre.

The consultation will help the Agency choose a preferred option for upgrading the defences, which will be brought back for further public comment in the late summer.

The project is likely to involve a combination of enhanced flood walls in the town centre and the creation of upstream water storage areas to limit flows at times of torrential rain.

Yesterday the Agency said there is little scope for bringing forward the projected 2011 start date for the scheme - despite pressure from worried residents for more rapid progress.

Yesterday Irene Parvin, who lives with her husband Derek in Pretoria Avenue and whose home was left under several feet of water, summed up the feelings of many at the exhibition.