Environment Agency launches North East natural flood management pilot project

The Environment Agency is holding the first in a series of information events setting out its plans for a £2.1 million natural flood management pilot project to reduce the risk of flooding in Weardale.

The Weardale Natural Flood Management (NFM) pilot project will see the Environment Agency investigate and deliver natural features across 100km squared area to reduce the risk of flooding to 141 properties. The project team is currently carrying out an assessment of NFM techniques that might help reduce flood risk in Weardale and takes in towns and villages including Stanhope, Westgate, Eastgate and Wolsingham. The Environment Agency is working on the project with Natural England, Forestry Commission, Durham County Council and the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Partnership. They want to work with local farmers and landowners who are interested in getting involved in the project to assess the impact of different NFM features. Over the coming months, the North Pennines AONB partnership, supported by Wear Rivers Trust, will be taking the lead in approaching farmers and landowners to discuss voluntary involvement in the scheme. Click here to read more

Yorkshire Water funds natural flood management in Upper Wharfedale

Yorkshire Water is working alongside the Yorkshire Dales Rivers Trust (YDRT) to improve the wildlife habitat and reduce the impact of flooding in the Oughtershaw area of Upper Wharfedale. The £50,000 investment from Yorkshire Water’s Biodiversity Action Fund, will see the firm construct three earth bunds which will reduce and slow down peak flows of floodwater. The bunds – walls to contain floodwater – act as leaky dams which hold back surges in steam flow and allow water in a controlled way to move through the dam. This, combined with tree planting, ponds, scrapes and new wetland habitat will increase the land’s capacity to absorb floodwater and release it slowly.

Ben Aston, from Yorkshire Water said:

“We are delighted to be able to help the YDRT. Helping wildlife and their habitat is extremely important to us and to be able to reduce flooding at the same time, makes this a very exciting project.” YDRT Senior Project Officer for Wharfedale, Dan Turner, said:

“We are extremely grateful for Yorkshire Water’s help in funding Oughtershaw.

“The Demonstration Area will play a vital role in showing farmers and other landowners what could be achieved to tackle flooding problems using sustainable methods and at relatively modest cost.

“This type of action in the upper part of river catchments, such as Oughtershaw, could play a big part in reducing the impact of damaging floods further downstream.”

First tree planted in River Aire natural flood management pilot

The first of 450 trees in a £500,000 natural flood management pilot scheme on the River Aire have been planted to reduce flood risk.