Work to protect homes from flooding in a County Durham village has been completed…

Durham County Council has developed a new flood defence scheme at Witton Gilbert with funding from the Environment Agency. It will help to protect 50 properties which were affected by flooding during severe weather in 2012.

The scheme was designed following an investigation into the flooding in 2012, and has involved the creation of a series of basins to the rear of Durham Gardens and South Lea.

The five basins can store up to 1,000 cubic meters of rain water, which would otherwise flow through the village, putting properties at risk of flooding.

The council has also worked with local landowners who have allowed existing ditches at the back of Brookside to be extended in order to divert water flows away from houses and towards the basins.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, said: “I am delighted that this work has been completed, and very much hope that it will provide peace of mind to local people who have previously suffered the effects of flooding caused by severe weather.

“The scheme is designed to protect streets and properties from any further flood damage by diverting rain and surface water away towards the new basins.”

As well as working with the Environment Agency, which has contributed funding for the scheme, the county council has also worked alongside local contractor Hall Construction, which carried out the work on site.

John Reed, head of technical services at Durham County Council, said: “The flooding of homes and businesses can have a devastating impact on people’s lives.

“We have worked successfully with the Environment Agency and local landowners to construct a flood prevention scheme to protect homes and businesses in Witton Gilbert from flooding in the future.”