WORK has begun on a new £4.8m Middlesbrough flood scheme that will provide improved protection to 485 homes.

The Marton West Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme will protect properties in central Middlesbrough against flooding from the beck, the sea, and surface water.

The partnership scheme is being delivered by the Environment Agency and Middlesbrough Council, and was initiated by the Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

Marton West Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme is just one of many schemes across the North East which better protects properties and businesses. In the North East, £132m is being invested between 2015 and 2021 to create or improve new flood and coastal defences.

Over the next 50 years, the flood alleviation scheme will provide £59m of economic benefit to Middlesbrough. The business case for the project was approved by central Government and forms part of the Environment Agency’s Capital programme to deliver flood and coastal erosion risk management schemes throughout England.

The contractor working on the project is BMMJV, a joint venture between BAM Nuttall and Mott MacDonald.

It is aimed that the scheme will be completed by the end of spring 2021.

Catherine Saxon, Environment Agency, Area Director, North East, said: “We are delighted to welcome the commencement onsite in Middlesbrough of the Marton West Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme. This is wonderful news for residents and businesses in the town centre. The scheme will be a vital asset for the local community something that will help to protect people for years to come, and forms part of a £132million programme to improve flood defences across the North East.

“The Environment Agency is pleased to be working in partnership with Middlesbrough Council to deliver this scheme.

“We are living in times when climate change brings with it unpredictable weather conditions. The Environment Agency is doing everything possible to protect communities from the devastating effects of flooding but we can’t stop flooding altogether.”

Andy Preston, Mayor for Middlesbrough, said: “For those worst hit by flooding, the impact can be catastrophic, so providing the best possible protection has long been a key priority.

“This major project is therefore a great opportunity for Middlesbrough Council to work in partnership with the Environment Agency.

“It will provide a considerable degree of security to a large number of homes, and will stand the town in good stead for the future.”

In the early planning stages of the project the Environment Agency and Middlesbrough Council worked closely with Northumbrian Water to help assess the key areas of potential flooding by looking at how the sewer system across the town interacted with other sources of flood risk.

During severe flooding the new scheme will hold flood water back in the Marton West Beck and Albert Park, stopping the full force of the water from flooding properties downstream. The existing trash screen in the park will also be upgraded as part of the programme. The screen collects urban debris and rubbish that can cause flooding.

The contractors and workers on site will be wearing the appropriate PPE and adhering to any social distancing requirements.