Press release

Multi-million pound Teesside flood scheme is complete

A 拢4.8million Middlesbrough flood scheme that better protects around 500 homes and businesses is complete.

皇冠体育app image shows the new flood walls at Albert Park

皇冠体育app new flood walls at Albert Park.

皇冠体育app Marton West Beck flood scheme reduces the risk of flooding from the beck, sea and surface water in central Middlesbrough.

During heavy rainfall the project鈥檚 upstream storage areas on Newham Beck will hold water back, decreasing the amount and slowing the flow of water downstream.

皇冠体育app project also includes:

  • an extended trash screen on Marton West Beck at Albert Park that will collect debris and rubbish that can cause flooding
  • new stone-clad flood walls and a surface water storage area at the park.
  • new concrete flood walls at Borough Road
  • a new drainage system

Construction started on the project, which was led by the Environment Agency in partnership with Middlesbrough Council, in summer 2020 and was completed last month.

皇冠体育app image shows Environment Agency Project Manager Stephen Frost on the left and Councillor Barrie Cooper from Middlesbrough Council on the right.

(L-R) Environment Agency Project Manager Stephen Frost and Coun. Barrie Cooper from Middlesbrough Council.

Project 鈥榖rings benefits to the wider area鈥�

Jamie Fletcher, Environment Agency Flood Risk Manager in the North East, said:

This project protects around 500 homes and businesses in the centre of Middlesbrough and will bring benefits for wildlife in the wider area.

Schemes such as this are essential for helping the North East adapt to climate change, which is bringing with it more extreme weather conditions and an increased flood risk.

Councillor Barrie Cooper, Middlesbrough Council鈥檚 Executive member for Environment, Finance & Governance, added:

I鈥檓 delighted to see this hugely important scheme completed, and I鈥檓 grateful to the Environment Agency for the fantastic work they鈥檝e undertaken. For those affected by flooding, the impact can be catastrophic and life-changing, and such extreme weather events are becoming all too frequent.

皇冠体育appse state-of-the-art defences are a great example of partnership working, and will give peace of mind to more than 500 families and many businesses for many years to come.

Facilities improved for the community

Amenity improvements include the creation of an allotment area at Environment City, the installation of a green roof on an existing composting area in Albert Park to create a bee pollinating area, along with the creation of bug houses, bat boxes and bird boxes around the park. Herbs have been planted and materials and equipment donated to help local refugees with their community garden.

皇冠体育app Environment Agency provided 300 trees and 3,000 hedge plants to Middlesbrough Municipal Golf Course after their land was used to create one of the upstream storage areas.

Middlesbrough and the wider economy will save an estimated 拢58million long term due to reduced flood-related damage.

皇冠体育app Marton West Beck scheme is just one of many across the North East that better protects properties and businesses as part of a 拢132million six year investment programme to create or improve flood and coastal defences in the region.

Last year鈥檚 record government investment announcement of 拢5.2 billion to better protect 336,000 properties across England by 2027 includes a further 拢193million investment in North East defences.

皇冠体育app image shows the lake at Albert Park.

Albert Park lake.

Important to be flood resilient

Jamie added:

We continue to invest in building and improving flood defences across the North East but unfortunately we cannot prevent all of the damage caused by flooding鈥� climate change is only increasing that risk.

It鈥檚 important the public go online and check if they are at risk, sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings, and know what to do if flooding hits.

People in flood risk areas should and they are encouraged to download the Environment Agency鈥檚 鈥楶repare. Act. Survive.鈥� flood plan to help reduce their risk.

皇冠体育app public are urged to register for the Environment Agency鈥檚 flood warning service online or contact Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

Updates to this page

Published 13 January 2022