Work begins on £5M Isle of Wight Flood Scheme

Work has begun in a scheme which will protect more than 300 local properties in Ryde from flooding.

The first day of Spring saw the Environment Agency contractors begin the £5M scheme, in partnership with the Isle of Wight Council and the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee. When completed, the scheme will significantly reduce flood risk to properties in the area.

The scheme is being undertaken as the Monktonmead Brook, which drains a catchment of approximately ten square kilometers via an outfall at Ryde, regularly blocks due to tidal sands accumulating. This sand migrates up the culvert towards the sea wall restricting flow through the outfall. Despite an automatic increase in pumping, the restriction of flows causes water to back up in the Brook, leading to an increase in flood risk to Ryde.

Work at the site will be carried out in stages, with the first stage comprising the construction of a new outfall pipe from the sea wall. This will allow clear outfall to be maintained and more water discharged into the sea during heavy rainfall, meaning a significant reduction in river overflows flooding land and properties in Ryde.

The second and final stage is the construction of a flood wall around Simeon Street Recreation Ground, Marymead Close and the river boundary of the BT depot. These works are planned to start in June 2018 and be completed by October 2018.

Environment Agency Manager John O’Flynn said: “We are delighted to be launching this multi-million pound scheme on the island, which includes over £1M of partner contributions that will benefit so many local homes and businesses. A sensible approach to funding and a good relationship with our partners has allowed us to begin the work in early spring. We’ll now be able to minimise disruption to the beach in the summer, avoid environmental constraints (including overwintering birds) and deliver a completed scheme that will reduce the flood risk by the autumn.

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: “We are investing £2.6Bn to better protect the country from flooding, including over 1,500 flood defence schemes which will better protect 300,000 homes by 2021. The Isle of Wight scheme is an important step in building our resilience, protecting more than 300 homes and businesses locally and giving people all important peace of mind.

Cabinet member for environment and heritage Councillor John Hobart, said: “Together with our partners, we are making great progress on flood prevention measures for Ryde and we are working alongside the Environment Agency and the Southern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee to reduce the risk of floods in the long term. We are excited to see this work beginning early spring to further strengthen flood measures for the residents of Ryde and surrounding habitat.”

If you would like to read more articles like this then please click here.