A MULTI-million pound defence to help protect residents from flooding and keep traffic moving on the A1 has been officially opened today.

It is the first time Highways England and the Environment Agency have worked together on a jointly-funded flood scheme that will offer better flood protection to the A1 at Catterick and 149 properties in the area.

In September 2012, the Catterick area suffered major flooding which affected 130 properties and closed the A1 for two days – costing the region’s economy more than £2 million.

The new flood reservoir, located between Brough Park and the A1, uses large embankments up to 6m high to hold 91 million gallons of water – equivalent to more than 130 Olympic swimming pools.

The scheme will slow the flow of water through Brough Beck, which previously overflowed in severe weather. This has been managed by putting meanders in the beck and building a control structure incorporating two ‘hydro-brakes’ to control the flow of water.

Five hectares of new habitat have been created, including wetlands, bat habitats, owl nesting and meadowland.

Brown trout are a key feature of Brough Beck and re-routing provides increased fish habitat along the beck.

Once the habitat has become established, the area will be a haven for wildlife and provide a better experience for the public using the local bridleways and paths.

Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, said: “As well as reducing flood risk to local homes and businesses, this flood defence will protect a main traffic artery through Yorkshire which has been affected in recent years.

“We are always looking for innovative ways to get the most benefit from our flood schemes, and by also creating five hectares of new habitat, this is a fantastic example of how working together can bring multiple benefits for the local community, economy and environment.”

The bulk of the £6.2m scheme cost has come from a special fund managed by Highways England to tackle environmental issues.

Further funding came from the Environment Agency, Local Levy and North Yorkshire County Council.

The flood storage reservoir had its first big test in early March after Dales snow melt led to flood water coming down the valley.

The reservoir worked as planned and held back the water from the A1 and Catterick village, storing it in the newly-created bowl, while slowly letting it flow back out into Brough Beck at a speed that alleviated flooding.

The scheme is being officially opened today with a ceremony involving project partners and local residents.