Work has started on a major £600,000 flood defence scheme in Blyth, Northumberland.
The project in Cowpen will see an existing 180m flood wall upgraded and extended to create a 380m wall to reduce the risk of flooding to the town.
Immediately, 58 properties will be protected from tidal flooding.When taking climate change into account, from Crawford Street to Quay Road, over 1,000 properties will be protected into the future.
The work is being funded by the Environment Agency but is being built by Port of Blyth as part of their wider redevelopment of the adjacent Bates and Wimbourne Terminals.
The flood defences are due to be completed in Spring 2018.
While the Environment Agency has advised on the specifications and design of the flood wall, Port of Blyth will own and maintain the wall. The Environment Agency will carry out annual inspections.
A Flood Warning service is available for Blyth residents considered to be at risk of flooding, one for the North Sea at Blyth and another for the North Sea at Blyth Town Centre.
