A FLOOD and coastal group will oversee spending of more than £28m to protect hundreds of homes across the region over the next year.
The Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee’s (NRFCC) business plan for 2015/16 will include work at Lustrum Beck, Hartlepool, Port Clarence and Skinningrove.
In 2014/15 the group, which consists of local authorities across the North-East, was responsible for 108 projects, costing £31.8m.
When all the planned work is complete, the risk of flooding will be reduced to 1,743 properties.
Its chairman Jon Hargreaves said: “The committee is a great example of true partnership working, with all local councils, the Environment Agency and Northumbrian Water pulling together on behalf of residents and businesses in the North-East.”
Most projects are delivered by the Environment Agency and local authorities, with some carried out in partnership with Northumbrian Water.
Phil Welton, flood and coastal risk manager with the Environment Agency, added: “The Committee has an essential role in developing and delivering flood risk management programmes which reflect local priorities.
“The work we’ve carried out over the past year has brought significant benefits to communities, property, businesses and the environment and the launch of the business plan sets out how we plan to protect more people in the year to come.”
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