More than £4m is to be spent on flooding prevention schemes in County Durham over the next 14 months.
Durham County Council put in a number of successful bids for funding to the Environment Agency, which means important work to protect communities from flooding across the county can go ahead.
The schemes were identified during investigations by Durham County Council following significant flooding in a number of areas caused by extreme rainfall in 2012.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships at Durham County Council, welcomed the funding.
He said: “We are currently seeing how flooding is having a devastating effect on people’s lives and businesses in the south of England.
“Many people here in County Durham have also experienced the disruption and difficulties that flooding can cause and this is something we want to try to prevent in the future.
“This funding will allow us to go ahead with important schemes which are designed to protect towns and villages from flooding.
“It is particularly pleasing that, at a time when all councils are facing financial difficulties, we have been able to secure the funding for this work which will bring huge benefits to local people.”
The schemes which have been given funding and the amount they have been awarded are:
• Greta Bridge – allocated £75,000 for 2013/14 and £25,000 from Durham County Council for 2014/15, taking the total investment to £100,000. This will allow work to begin next month (March). Project due to be completed in April.
• Waldridge – allocated £88,000 in 2013/14. Work will start next month (March).
• Seaham Harbour – allocated £2,337,000 for 2014/15.
• Etherley Lane, Bishop Auckland – allocated £10,000 for 2013/14 and a further £50,000 for 2014/15.
• Hood Street, St John Chapel – allocated £150,000 for 2014/15.
• Lanchester – allocated £100,000 for design and investigation works for 2014/15.
• Witton Gilbert – allocated £300,000 for 2014/15.
• Chester-le-Street – allocated £120,000 for 2014/15.
• Tindale Beck – allocated £343,000 for 2014/15. This scheme will be led by the Environment Agency.
• Spring Gardens – allocated £617,000 for 2014/15. This scheme will be led by the Environment Agency.
• River Wear, Stanhope – allocated £128,000 for 2014/15. This scheme will be led by the Environment Agency.
Work at Greta Bridge and Waldridge will start next month and design and/or building work will begin on the other schemes during 2014/15.