Tracey Hollis -
21-Jan-2008 - Almost 100 metres of floodbank
is about to removed from the coastal defences
at Alnmouth as work begins on Phase 2 of
the 4shores project.
From 28 January, the
defences one mile north of Alnmouth, upstream
of Duchess bridge will be taken down. This
will allow high tides to flood into six
fields covering some 40 hectares which nature
will reclaim to create natural flood defences
such as saltmarsh. The fields along this
stretch of the river already flood when
water levels are high but this phase of
the 4shores project will allow the land
to return to its natural floodplain, which
in turn will act as a natural flood defence
and create very important wildlife habitats.
Once work begins, the
soil from the defences will be redistributed
across the site helping to create shallow
scrapes, new ditches and small ponds to
establish a variety of new wildlife habitats.
The 4shores project
was born out of a need to find a better
way of managing flood risk. The Environment
Agency needs to look at different options
and avoid burdening future generations with
the cost of maintaining unsustainable defences
which do not protect homes and other vital
infrastructure.
Environmental assessments
have been carried out for the works, to
identify and manage environmental risks
and to ensure that the works would not have
an adverse impact. Alnwick District Council
has been consulted and Land Drainage Consent
has been given for the works. The Parish
Councils from both Alnmouth and Lesbury
have had presentations about Phase 2 of
the 4shores project.
Communications Officer
for the Northumbria Local Levy, Siobhán
Leslie, said: “This is a fantastic example
of the Environment Agency working in partnership
and building on other environmental initiatives
within the Northumberland Coast Area of
Outstanding Natural Beauty.”
The 4shores project
is set to run until 2009 and other sites
are being considered as potential natural
flood defences including Beal, which has
been selected as the second location for
the project and small works will be taking
place this year, with the larger section
of the project taking place in the next
financial year.
If you would like to
find out more about the project or plans
at Alnmouth, please contact Siobhan Leslie,
0191 203 4322 or email 4shores@environment-agency.gov.uk.
+ More
Environment Agency North
East issues further severe flood warnings
Tracey Hollis - 21-Jan-2008
- Midday update -The Environment Agency
has issued more severe flood warnings for
Wakefield and Skipton. This is the highest
level of flood threat means that there could
be extreme danger to life and property.
Three severe warnings
are in place for the Wakefield area covering
properties near Alverthorpe Beck and Ings
Beck.
A severe warning has also been issued for
the Eller Beck at Skipton. Two severe flood
warnings are already in place on the River
Colne at Huddersfield, bringing the total
issued in the region to six.
Officers also remain on high alert in the
region for the Rivers Aire and Calder after
rainfall totals of 30 to 50mm of rain were
forecast for today. The River Calder is
expected to peak at 13.30hrs and the River
Aire will peak at Leeds at 15.30hrs today,
but levels are predicted to be below what
they were in June 2007.
With high levels in the upper reaches of
the River Calder and the River Colne, we
now expect much higher river levels further
downstream at Dewsbury and Wakefield. Officers
are continuing to monitor the situation
closely.
As of Monday at midday,
the following severe flood warnings were
in place:
River Colne at Huddersfield - Turnbridge
Road, Linhurst Road and Leeds Road
River Colne at Huddersfield - Aspley &
Bradley Mills
Alverthorpe Beck at Wakefield - Alverthorpe
Road and St. Clair Green
Alverthorpe Beck at Wakefield – Flanshaw
Alverthorpe and Ings Beck at Wakefield -
Brooks Bank and Westgate
Eller Beck at Skipton
A further 37 flood warnings and 28 flood
watches are in place.
If you live in an area
that is affected by the warnings and severe
warnings, then precautionary measures should
be taken. These include listening to local
radio, looking out for the wellbeing of
neighbours and vulnerable people, not travelling
to any flooded areas and, if you do have
to evacuate, ensuring you take warm clothing.
For further information
on flood warnings and watches in force,
people can go to our website www.environment-agency.gov.uk/flood
or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
