Millions for flood scheme

26/09/2006

Millions of pounds will be spent to reduce the risk of flooding in a part of Newcastle, it is announced today.

Northumbrian Water is to invest £2.5 million to upgrade and increase capacity of the sewerage network in the Red House Farm area.

The ten-month improvement scheme is provisionally planned to start on Wednesday, November 8 2006, but may begin earlier.

Residents in the area are invited to drop-in and find out more about the work at two customer information sessions being held on Friday, September 29 2006 between 3.00pm and 8.00pm and on Saturday, September 30 2006 between 9.00am and 3.00pm at the Northumbrian Piper public house, Fawdon House, Fawdon Close, Newcastle upon Tyne.

The work, which will involve installing 2.5km of new sewer pipe and construction of a combined sewer overflow, will reduce the risk of flooding to land and some properties in Acomb Crescent, Boulmer Close, Fawdon Lane, Hauxley Drive, Linhope Avenue, Meldon Avenue, Ross Way, Ridley Close, St Clements Court, Belsay Gardens and surrounding areas.  The overflow is designed to discharge in times of heavy rainfall further reducing the risk of flooding.

John McGovern, Head of Investment Delivery at Northumbrian Water, said:  “We appreciate that some customers in the Red House Farm area have suffered flooding in times of heavy rainfall and that this does cause distress.  We are doing this work sooner than originally planned."

“I encourage customers affected by this work to drop in at one of the customer information sessions where we will answer any questions and address any concerns they may have.”

Customers will receive a letter and information leaflet about this work.  If they require further advice or have any special needs they should ring Northumbrian Water on 0845 717 1100.

It is very unlikely that anyone from the water company will need to gain access into customers’ homes while the work is being carried out in the Red House Farm area.  If customers are in any doubt of a caller claiming to be from the water company, they should not let them into their home.  They should ring the company’s customer centre to confirm the caller’s identity.

For further information contact Cara Hall on 0191 301 6720.