Work has started on a £600,000 flood relief scheme in the Cowpen area of Blyth, Northumberland.

An existing 180-metre flood wall in the coastal town will be upgraded and extended to create a 380-metre wall to reduce the risk of flooding.

Taking climate change into account, the new defences from Crawford Street to Quay Road will protect over 1,000 properties and offer immediate improved protection to 58 properties from tidal flooding.

Port of Blyth is delivering the scheme as part of its wider redevelopment of the Bates and Wimbourne Terminals. The Environment Agency is funding the project and has advised on the specifications and design of the flood wall. Port of Blyth will own and maintain the wall, while the EA will carry out annual inspections.

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Completion is scheduled for spring 2018.

Leila Huntington, the EA's Flood Risk Manager for the North East, said: "This is a great example of a partnership project which protects homes and businesses now and into the future. We have been working closely with Port of Blyth to support the development of a flood wall as part of a wider land development scheme.

"By working together it means a greater standard of flood protection improvements can be provided at a reduced cost and with less disruption to the local community.

"We're committed to increasing protection for our at-risk communities and are continuously looking for opportunities to collaborate with our partners and provide the best possible solutions."

Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive of Port of Blyth, added: "This project is a real win-win for the town of Blyth and the Port. As a result of this programme of flood defence work, a huge number of homes and businesses within Blyth will be protected by the flood risks presented by global warming.

"On top of this, the scheme enables the Port to move forward with our development plans for connecting our Bates and Wimbourne Quay terminals which will attract inward investment into the town."

Image: (L - R) Phil Rothwell, Chair of the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive of Port of Blyth, and Tristan Drought from the Environment Agency.

(LM)