Work starts on vital Teesside flood scheme

The £4.8million 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, £132 million 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.

Elected Mayor for Middlesbrough, Andy Preston, 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.

Speaking on behalf of the BMMJV Partnership, Gareth Farrier, BAM Nuttall Divisional Director, added:

BMMJV are excited to be delivering this fantastic project for the Environment Agency and their partners Middlesbrough Council. This project will deliver great benefits to the local residents and surrounding area and we look forward to engaging with the community throughout the project.

We’re committed to working constructively with the community throughout this project and look forward to leaving a lasting legacy once construction is complete.

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 Marton West Beck and Albert Park, stopping the full force of the water from flooding properties downstream. The existing debris 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 plans for the flood scheme were created by Civil Engineering company, Mott MacDonald as part of their joint venture with BAM Nuttall.

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

For further information about the Marton West Beck Flood Alleviation Scheme please contact martonwestbeck@environment-agency.gov.uk

Also to find out if you are living in a flood risk area and for information on how to sign up for flood alerts please visit the Environment Agency website