Works begins on final part of scheme to cut flooding

An earth bund will be going up round 37 acres of land two miles above Pickering to provide flood storage, the final piece of a wider £2m scheme designed to slow down the flow of water running into Pickering Beck and the town.

Over the past decade three schemes have been abandoned because of cost, most recently a £3.5m project in 2011.

The Slowing the Flow Partnership’s chairman, Jeremy Walker, said residents had commented that land management measures, which have already been installed as part of a “greener” approach, appeared to be working.

“We are delighted that at last we have an affordable scheme and the funds available to build it,” Mr Walker said.

As well as the reservoir, 150 woody debris dams have been installed in river tributaries, and over 120 heather bales to block moorland grips.

Nearly 100 acres of new trees have been planted and no burn zones established to slow down run-off from the moors and two large timber bunds constructed, as part of what is one of three demonstration projects, being run by the Government nationally.

Experts claim the long-awaited scheme will reduce the chances of flooding in Pickering – which has flooded three times in recent years – from 25 per cent in any one year, to four per cent or less, and it should give at least 50 houses increased protection from the elements.