Flood defences underway in Ponteland

The Environment Agency is currently undertaking the construction of new flood defences along the River Pont between Callerton Lane and the Memorial Hall footbridge in Ponteland in the North East.

To go into further detail, these flood defences form part of the Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme and will protect 250 properties in the local area from dangers of flooding. Furthermore, these defences are being constructed under the government’s pledges to build £127M worth of flood defences in the North East between the years 2015 and 2021.

Unfortunately, the construction of these defences will require the felling of approximately 50 trees along the river’s edge. Although, to offset these damages, the Environment Agency plans to plant an additional 200 trees.

The Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager for the North East, Leila Huntington stated: “Over the past few weeks we have seen the impacts of Storms Ciara, Dennis, and Jorge across the country. With climate change, the risk of flooding will increase and flood defences play an important part in reducing flood risk and helping communities to be more resilient.

“The essential replacement of flood defences in Ponteland will ensure they continue to protect 250 homes from flooding.”

“We have a policy for replanting five trees for every one tree that is removed. This means that in Ponteland we will be replanting over 200 trees and we’re keen for local people to suggest where they would like the saplings to go. This could be in school grounds or on the site of a popular public green space.”

One of the active flood warden in Ponteland, and a former IT consultant, Andy Anderson commented: “It is a very useful way of keeping in touch with people in and around Ponteland.”

“Keeping the flood defences up-to-date is essential especially with the change in our current climate conditions, which is why the Flood Alleviation Scheme is vital for the local community, helping to protect us and provide peace of mind.”

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