New phase under way in Rothbury flood defence work

Jun 30 2009 The Journal

A NEW phase of work has started to protect a Northumbrian community from flooding.

Work by Environment Agency contractors on the Coplish Burn in Rothbury over the next three weeks will include replacing an old 30-metre culvert with new piping plus a reinforced box culvert at Lindsay House, Town Foot. The work is funded by the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee.

Phase one was completed last year and included strengthening part of the culvert, from the inlet near Providence Place to Brewery Lane, and from Lee Close to the outfall into the Coquet at Riverside.

Since floods last September several improvements to the defences have been completed. The pumping station at Riverside is back in operation after it flooded and has been raised.

Improvements to the upstream trash screens, which filter out debris, and the installation of sediment traps will help reduce blockages inside the new culvert.

Other works in Rothbury include replacing the steps over the flood bank and installing a new drain on the Riverside access road.

Environment Agency flood and coastal risk manager Ian Hodge said the £500,000 project was designed to make future maintenance of the culvert safer.

“Although flood risk from the Coplish Burn is reduced we are not complacent and we’ll be looking at ways to reduce flood risk from the River Coquet as well,” he said. “I know some residents are still not back in their homes from the flooding last September and we are working with the parish council to set up a flood warden scheme.”