Work has started on site on a £2.5million project which will help protect around 100 homes and businesses in a South Tyneside community from flooding.

The scheme is being delivered by South Tyneside Council and its partners at the Environment Agency and Tyne Rivers Trust. The scheme, which involves managing surface water where problems have been identified in a number of areas, together with improved drainage and landscaping, is expected to be completed in the winter.

The Monkton flood alleviation scheme will also see a section of the Bede Burn running underground opened up – known as ‘daylighting’. As part of uncovering the Bede Burn an attenuation basin to store run-off water during storms will be created.

It will tackle surface water flooding, which happens when rainwater does not drain away or soak into the ground, but lies or flows over the ground instead.

Councillor Moira Smith, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at South Tyneside Council, said:

“We are delighted to see work get underway to reduce the risk of flooding to properties which have been badly affected in the past.

“It is never possible to guarantee that an area will be flood free. However by working with our partners we can certainly help to increase the level of protection and reassurance by delivering long-term sustainable schemes such as this.

“These measures will go a long way to controlling the flow of surface water and diverting it away from local residents and businesses. Once complete, communities will be better protected with the added benefit of an enhanced local environment.”

The scheme is largely funded by the Environment Agency, as well as a contribution from the local levy – which is money raised by local authorities for flood projects.