Morpeth flood clean-up operation reaches final stages

May 28 2009 by Ben Kenyon, The Journal

The clean-up of the River Wansbeck will continue this week in the aftermath of the devastating floods that swept through Morpeth last year.

Environment Agency contractors will dredge tons of rubble, gravel and silt from the water at Oldgate Bridge. The operation aims to help prevent future floods in the town by removing the build-up of debris dumped by the swollen river.

After record rainfall in September last year, raging floodwaters tore through Morpeth, forcing nearly 1,000 people from their homes – leaving a trail of destruction, which prompted an eight-month programme of reparations.

But now the clean-up campaign is in its final stages as work begins on clearing debris from around the bridge and freeing up the river channel. Les Collingwood of the Environment Agency, said: “The two smaller arches at Oldgate Bridge are especially prone to catching trees and large debris and clearly we need to keep the river flowing.

“High Stanners, which bore the brunt of the flooding last year, is just upstream of this bridge.

“Although this rubble shouldn’t cause flooding on its own, it could well contribute to a blockage at the bridge, so we need to take every precaution to reduce the risk.”