The Environment Agency has started work on the £2.7million Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme in Northumberland.
Hexham MP Guy Opperman is shown around Ponteland Flood Scheme
The scheme is the first project to get off the ground out of the 22 flood defence projects to benefit from a government funding boost.
The investment brings forward work on flood defence schemes across the country - Ponteland received a £450,000 cash injection used to fill a shortfall in funding, allowing the Environment Agency to start construction immediately.
Existing flood defences on the south bank of the River Pont, between the Memorial Hall footbridge and Callerton Burn Pumping Station, will be replaced with one continuous sheet piled flood wall.
The flood wall will be built to complement the existing local environment, with a stone effect and colour, and will protect more than 250 properties in the town. The new flood defences will also be built with climate change in mind, with allowances in the foundations for the walls to be raised in future if needed.
Work started at the end of August and is expected to be completed next Spring. The contractor, BAM Nuttall, will maintain a temporary flood defence throughout construction.
Leila Huntington, Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency in the North East said:
“The recent government funding boost that the scheme received shows just how vital the completion of this work is and we’re pleased to get started on the ground.
“We know there is a long history of flooding in Ponteland and we’re committed to ensuring the town is protected. We understand just how devastating it is to be flooded and we have consulted with the community throughout to develop a scheme which meets their needs.”
“This project is built with climate change in mind and will hopefully bring some reassurance to residents that they will be better protected now and into the future.”
The Hexham Industrial Estate Flood Alleviation Scheme also received a £1 million boost towards the £4.1 million estimated cost from the £170 million government funding boost, while a flood alleviation scheme costing an estimated £12.7 million in early development for Team Valley Industrial Estate received a significant £6 million funding boost.
With the UK government demanding a 50% reduction in storm overflow spills by 2029, the era of reactive management is over. Speaking in the House of Commons on 21 July 2025, then environment secretary Steve Reed said, “This Government will cut water companies’ sewage pollution in half by the end of the decade.”
ERG, the leading supplier of odour control systems and industrial gas cleaning & thermal systems, has been awarded the coveted King’s Award for Enterprise.
Welsh Water’s new artificial intelligence-driven tool, ORAI, has been shortlisted for three categories at the prestigious British Data Awards 2026 – underscoring the company’s commitment to using cutting-edge technology to deliver better outcome for customers.
Barhale has completed work on two separate Rapid Action Taskforce Spills projects it is carrying out for Severn Trent.
Hear how Scottish Water has completed its £235 million Ayrshire Glasgow Resilience Project - customers across Greater Glasgow, Ayrshire and East Renfrewshire will now benefit from a more secure and resilient water supply.
Hear how United Utilities is accelerating its investment to reduce spills from storm overflows across the Northwest.
Find out more about the remarkable career opportunities on offer at WSP - scroll down to watch the inspirational video.