As part of the works, a new 500m section of the Ormesby Beck in Middlesbrough has been created to allow extra space to store water in the event of flooding. A small channel was also included to carry the normal flow of the beck.

According to the EA, moving the beck away from homes and increasing the capacity of the channel will mean households in the area have a reduced risk of flooding in the future.

The project, carried out in partnership with Middlesbrough Council has received funding from the Local Levy, a precept on council tax which is used to fund projects that are not eligible for national funding.

The EA is now planning the second phase of the work which it anticipates will take place next year. However, it said this phase of the project is on hold until vegetation such as reeds and grass have grown to hold the soil bank in place, preventing them from being eroded by fast-flowing water. The new section will eventually support water flow from the existing beck channel.

It will also involve the installation of a penstock in the flood relief channel to restrict the flow of water during heavy rain.

EA project manager Amanda McKevitt said: “The second phase of this project will see the joining of the new section of the realigned beck to the rest of the channel to allow water to flow through it.”

“In the meantime we are planning to do some tree and shrub planting around the beck to improve the landscape. The hope is to involve the local schools and community along with the Boro Becks Team and local businesses in this planting later in the year.”

Carys Matthews

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