Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council has named Esh Construction to deliver the £3.1m Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme, advancing plans to bolster flood defences in the village of Whiston.

The programme is designed to reduce flood risk along Whiston Brook, a tributary of the River Rother that runs through the centre of the village and has suffered repeated flooding in recent years.

Severe flooding in October 2023, intensified by surface water runoff and pressure on existing drainage, affected homes, businesses and local roads, including Howarth Road and Long Lane.

Steven Garrigan, Divisional Director at Esh Construction, said: "Whiston has experienced the very real impacts of flooding in recent years, and this scheme will play a vital role in better protecting residents, businesses and local infrastructure.

"By combining flood storage, improved conveyance and naturalised watercourse enhancements, the project takes a holistic approach to managing flood risk while also delivering environmental benefits. We're pleased to be working with Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council to deliver a solution that supports long-term resilience for the village."

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The scheme introduces targeted measures at three locations to better manage flows, lower peak levels and improve resilience across the surrounding area.

At Worrygoose Lane, a new parallel culvert will be installed and existing culvert sections upsized to increase the brook's capacity, accompanied by a new flood wall and embankment. The culvert inlet headwall on a tributary from Sitwell Golf Course will also be improved.

Upstream on agricultural land at Royds Moor Farm, an online Flood Storage Reservoir will temporarily hold floodwater and release it in a controlled manner, reducing the volume and speed of water reaching Whiston during heavy rainfall.

Within the storage area, Whiston Brook will be realigned to add meanders, existing culverts will be removed to restore an open channel, and new wetlands and backwaters will be created to support biodiversity and habitats for aquatic species and plants.

Further works include diverting a Yorkshire Water surface water conduit to improve flow routing, and upgrading the B6410 Royds Moor Hill crossing by enlarging the structure and installing new headwalls and parapets to increase flood capacity. Additional nearby road crossings will be improved to help manage runoff and reduce surface water ponding.

Cllr Lynda Marshall, Cabinet Member for Street Scene and Green Spaces at Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council, said: "We know flooding has been worrying for people living in Whiston, and we understand how it has affected people's lives. This scheme is an important step in helping to reduce flooding in the future. It will help manage water during heavy rain and protect homes, businesses and local roads.

"We're pleased to be working with Esh Construction on this project. We will keep residents updated during the works and will do our best to keep disruption to a minimum."

Once complete, the Whiston Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme is expected to substantially cut flood risk through the village centre, mitigating the effects of intense rainfall by storing water in the upstream reservoir and releasing it gradually.