Alexandra
Wales - 4-Oct-2006 - A project led by the Environment
Agency to protect homes from flooding at Chester-le-Street
will be enhanced by local school children this
Friday.
The scheme, designed in consultation
with The Riverside Residents Association and Chester-le-Street
District Council, is based at The Parks residential
estate on the south east of Chester-le-Street
on a large meander of the River Wear. It will
be officially opened in early December after planting
work is completed and a new picnic area installed.
Flooding in 2000 and various hydraulic studies
have shown that some of the properties at The
Parks were at risk from flooding. Subtle changes
in river level and flood plain storage have also
increased the risk of flooding at this location.
A 230 metre floodbank and 50
metres of floodwall, which used 5,000 tonnes of
clay during construction, has been built along
the southern and eastern boundaries of the estate,
which will protect eight properties from flooding.
The land next to the defence and floodbank is
being landscaped, and local children from Selby
Cottage Childcare Centre will help sew seeds and
plant bulbs to establish the area.
The works have also included
the creation of a wildlife area with a pond and
shallow scrapes, to encourage flora and fauna
to grow. Picnic tables constructed from recycled
plastic will also be added to the meadow area
once it has established itself.
The works, which cost £100,000,
have been carried out by local construction firm
Lumsden & Carroll and have been funded by
the Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee’s
local levy programme and Chester-le-Street District
Council.
David Huntington, project manager
at the Environment Agency said: The scheme has
been very well received by local residents. The
new wildlife area, which was previously scrub
land, creates another location for the public
to enjoy, with the knowledge that their homes
have a better level of protection from flooding."
Julie Lewcock, operations manager
at the Riverside, for Chester-le-Street District
Council said: "We are delighted with this
project as it shows how partnership working can
be effective when residents are involved in making
a real difference to their local environment.
Not only will this be a safeguard for local homes,
but it will also benefit the local community,
as well as wildlife in the area."
