The Environment Agency is carrying out work to remove blockages and silt from culverts in a £475,000 project to reduce the risk of flooding to around 1,000 homes in the North East.
The Environment Agency is carrying out work to remove blockages and silt from culverts in a £475,000 project to reduce the risk of flooding to around 1,000 homes in the North East.
This month, silt will be removed from culverts at Chapel Beck in Guisborough, Cocker Beck in Darlington, and Loftus Beck in Loftus.
Environment Agency contractors will remove blockages and a build up of silt deposits which has entered the rivers via run-off from fields and roads, thereby increasing the capacity of the culverts and reducing the risk of flooding.
The Environment Agency’s Steve Wilkinson said:
“The build-up of silt in culverts reduces the capacity for water to pass through, particularly when it’s needed most during a flood.”
“This in turn can raise water levels further upstream which can lead to flooding. As well as clearing silt, the work will see lodged debris in the culverts, such as logs and tyres, removed. This will reduce the risk of flooding to nearby homes and businesses.”
The work started on January 18 and will be complete by the end of February – other projects are shortly due to start in February and be completed during April.
The Environment Agency said the work, which is costing around £475,000, has been pre-planned since last year.
Waterbriefing is media partner with the Environment Agency’s major three-day conference and exhibition Flood and Coast 2016 which takes place from 23rd to 25th February 2016 in Telford. For more information click here.