Work Begins on Flood Scheme in Stokesley

Construction work on a new multimillion-pound flood defence scheme in Stokesley has begun with preparation work to help manage the ‘river flow’ of the River Leven.

The project is due for completion by Spring 2021 and will improve protection to 509 properties in the town, as well as providing £46 million in economic benefits over the next 50 years. The Stokesley Flood Alleviation Scheme is part of the current six-year capital investment programme which sees Government funding of £2.6 billion to protect 300,000 homes from flooding and coastal erosion between 2015 and 2021.

Beyond 2021 a record Government investment of £5.2 billion has been announced. This will also better protect 336,000 properties, via the creation of around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences in England by 2027.

The Environment Agency also published its Flood and Coast Erosion Risk Management Strategy, a blueprint setting out how it will work with communities to deliver the government’s long term plan.

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 contract working on the project is BMMJV, a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald with the first part of the programme will see the removal of the ‘downstream flow control structure’, this will 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

Any questions about the scheme should be sent to stokesleyfloodscheme@environment-agency.gov.uk

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