Raoul Moat 'tourists' cause Rothbury flood risk

Aug 21 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE legacy of Raoul Moat is now posing a flood risk to the Northumberland village where he hid from police.

Officers at the Environment Agency have warned that people and properties in Rothbury are being put at risk of flooding by individuals repeatedly leaving a culvert flap open.

The culvert is where Raoul Moat was alleged to have hidden while being hunted by police last month.

Agency staff say they are receiving repeated reports that the metal flap at the front of the Coplish Burn culvert has been left open by people visiting the site.

Agency officers are sent to close the culvert flap when it is reported open but this reduces the time and resources they have to maintain flood defences elsewhere.

The flap performs an important role in Rothbury’s flood defences as it prevents water from the River Coquet flowing back through the culvert into the centre of the village during high river flows.

If the flap was left open during a flood, 28 business and eight residential properties would be flooded.

Agency operations delivery team leader Paul Constantine said: “Leaving the flap open at this culvert in Rothbury is dangerous. It would cause terrible damage to properties and endanger people’s lives in Rothbury if it were left open during a flood event.

“We are appealing for whoever is doing this to stop putting people, homes and businesses in Rothbury at risk of flooding.”