Construction of the £3.7m flood alleviation scheme in Stokesley has begun with the required preparation works to help manage the river flow of the River Leven, allowing for the main construction works to progress.
Once complete in spring 2021, the scheme aims to improve protection to 509 properties in the town.
One of the initial elements of the works is the temporary closure of a footpath located across the A173 starting on Monday, October 12.
This action, agreed with North Yorkshire County Council, will be in place until the end of the programme next spring.
The contractors will only close footpaths if it is strictly necessary for certain stages of the work, Environment Agency bosses say.
Leila Huntington, the Environment Agency’s flood risk manager for the North East, said: “We are delighted that work will begin on the Stokesley Flood Alleviation Scheme.
“This is a project that will benefit residents, businesses, the local economy and local wildlife.
“With the impacts of climate change we are seeing changes in weather patterns and an increase in flood risk.
“The improved flood defence at Stokesley, which is part of the government’s current flood risk capital investment programme, plays a crucial role in better protecting the wider community from the risk of flooding into the future.”
The contractor working on the project is BMMJV, a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald.
The first part of the programme will see the removal of the ‘downstream flow control structure’, to enable construction of the new structure in the same location.
The River Leven flow will be closely managed to ensure the watercourse flows normally downstream during the work and flood risk is not increased.
All contractors working on the site will be wearing appropriate PPE and adhering to any social distancing requirements.
The work is expected to be complete by the end of spring 2021.
To find out if you are living in a flood risk area and for information on how to sign up for flood alerts please visit the Environment Agency website https://flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings
Any questions about the scheme should be sent to stokesleyfloodscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk
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