THE Environment Agency is carrying out a review of a town's flood defences.

The body maintains 1.3km of flood wall in Yarm, which protect more than 500 homes and businesses.

Any residents with a flood gate is being invited to take part in the consultation to discuss the best options to protect their homes and the wider community.

Simon Wilson, senior advisor in the flood and coastal risk management team in the North-East, said: “The Environment Agency is carrying out a review of Yarm’s flood defences to ensure local people continue to have the best possible protection from the River Tees.We have recently made repairs to some of the flood gates and they continue to function and protect the town, but their condition is deteriorating and we are taking steps now to stop this becoming a problem in the future.

“Those that serve public areas such as footpaths and car parks will be replaced, and we are contacting residents with flood gates on their properties this week to consider whether they should be replaced or removed in favour of a more robust and continuous flood wall.

“We want to find out more about how the gates impact access and how they are operated, with our priority being the safety of all residents in Yarm.”

The Environment Agency is carrying out this project within the current government coronavirus guidelines to ensure the safety of staff and residents.

Residents are encouraged to check their flood risk and take steps to Prepare. Act. Survive - visit the ‘what to do in a flood’ page.