£6m flood protection scheme to be launched in Catterick

A huge flood prevention project is being launched in Catterick today. The £6m scheme will see the creation of a Flood Storage Reservoir which will protect around 150 homes as well as parts of the A1.

The area saw severe flooding in 2012 when the A1 was closed for around 24 hours. The unique project has been masterminded by a partnership comprising the Environment Agency, Highways Agency and North Yorkshire County Council.

The initial turf cutting will take place today using a good old fashion spade however, larger more modern machinery will be on hand to take over.

The new storage reservoir is to be built upstream of Catterick - between Brough Park and the A1 - and will be able to hold 91 million gallons of water which, in a storm event, would overwhelm Brough Beck putting the village and surrounding area at risk of flooding.

The main works will comprise two large earth embankments up to six metres high, diversion of Brough Beck and the construction of a new flow control structure.

Landscaping will also be undertaken which will include tree planting, reinstatement of hedgerows and the creation of a wetland pond