CONFIDENCE that Morpeth’s vital flood defence upgrade is about to get the final green light has been further strengthened by news that a Government minister will visit the town next week.

The Journal revealed last month that work on the stalled project now looks almost certain to start early next year, after the Environment Agency confirmed that full funding is effectively in place.

Environment minister Richard Benyon will visit Morpeth on Monday to find out more about the scheme for himself – which campaigners have taken as another strong hint that it is now nearing final approval.

It is expected that the Environment Agency’s national board will rubber-stamp the funding and likely start date for the work at its meeting three days after the minister’s visit.

Mr Benyon will meet representatives of the Morpeth Flood Action Group, Northumberland County Council and the agency on Monday, after asking to come to the town as part of a regional visit.

The Morpeth flood alleviation scheme is already being seen as a national example of good practice because of the way it complies with new Government requirements for the funding of flood defence projects. Key to its revitalised progress has been the decision by the county council to contribute up to £12m of the cost from its capital programme, meeting a requirement that local as well as national funding is required for such schemes.

Yesterday Morpeth Flood Action Group chairman, Alan Bell, said the minister’s visit was another clear indication that formal approval for the scheme is imminent.

“We understand that Mr Benyon specifically asked to come to Morpeth because it is a very important scheme,” he said.

“It has certainly boosted our confidence that the agency’s board will rubber-stamp things on February 9.

“We again need to thank the county council, because without its promised contribution the scheme would not be going ahead.”

County council leader Jeff Reid said he “very much hoped” the minister’s visit was further confirmation that the scheme was going to happen.

“We are very hopeful that our capital contribution, together with Government funding, means we will get the job done,” he added.

The scheme – aimed at preventing a repeat of the September 2008 catastrophe in which 1,000 homes and businesses were flooded – involves a flood storage reservoir on the River Wansbeck together with new and improved defences in the town centre.

Work was scheduled to start last December but was delayed by Government spending cuts. Campaigners now expect things to get under way early in 2013.

Mr Bell said formal approval for the scheme would also help tackle problems people in flood-risk properties in Morpeth are facing in getting affordable insurance cover for their homes.

“The best way to obtain affordable insurance is to put flood defences in, so approval for this scheme should mean people in Morpeth being able to get cheaper cover and also to have some choice,” he added.