Monkton Flood Alleviation Scheme

Overview

The Monkton Flood Alleviation Scheme is almost complete. The flood alleviation measures are now in place and fencing will be removed from work areas.

Some areas of soft landscaping need cultivation and seeding after works. There is also a small area of wetland planting on the de-culverted watercourse.

What we have constructed

  • An under-drained swale to the back of St Josephs School. This will help to prevent surface water from reaching Mill Lane, Crawley Avenue and College Road
  • Any residual flows will be picked up on Mill Lane and diverted into improved highways drainage
  • Two detention basin areas (to capture surface water when it floods) were constructed towards the back of Toner Avenue School, opposite the Lukes Lane estate. These will store surface water run-off during peak storm events. During drier periods, there will be little to no water stored in these areas
  • A series of drains will collect surface water flows within Lilac Walk, with improved highways drainage on Mountbatten Avenue and Kelly Road to better protect residents from surface water flooding
  • Improved highways drainage and raised road platform will help to protect residents on Finchale Road, Coniston Ave, Penrith Road and Thirlmere Court by draining into a carrier pipe. This will flow northwards and drain directly into the Bede burn underneath Adair Way

Over 100 properties are better protected as a result of the scheme.

Why these works were necessary

During heavy rainfall, surface water flows have the potential to severely damage properties and businesses.

Cost

By raising the standard of protection for properties around the Monkton area, the scheme will cost roughly £2.5m and is part funded by the Environment Agency.

Who carried out the work

Civil Engineers, Balfour Beatty, and Designers, Royal Haskoning DHV, were appointed by South Tyneside Council to deliver this scheme.

As well as engineering works, the Council worked with Tyne Rivers Trust to landscape the newly opened Bede Burn, next to Toner Avenue School. South Tyneside Council were granted funding from the Environment Agency (as part of Living Waterways) to open up a section of the Bede Burn culvert in the green space to the east of Toner Avenue School.

Tyne Rivers Trust, along with the Environment Agencies' Flood Resilience Team, worked with local schools and community groups to educate them about natural habitat enhancement and sustainable drainage.

With the help of local volunteers, this section of watercourse was landscaped with plans and shrubs, improving the visual amenity of this area, providing a valuable habitat for wildlife.

For more information on this work visit Tyne Rivers Trust.

Construction plans

More information

If you have any questions about the Monkton Flood Alleviation Scheme, call 0191 424 7887 or email environmental.healthmailbox@southtyneside.gov.uk.

For more information and advice about flooding please see Flooding and coastal risk management.

To find out more about how you can protect yourself against the effects of flooding and to sign up to the Environment Agency flood alerts, visit Environment Agency: Floods destroy