Work begins on flood defences

More than 400 homes and businesses in South Church and West Auckland were washed out when the River Gaunless burst its banks in June 2000.

Many people lost everything in the floods and were left unable to return to their homes for months.

The disaster has left the two communities living with the fear that every time it rains heavily it will all happen again.

Last week residents were able to breath a sigh of relief as Bishop Auckland MP Derek Foster launched the start of the multi-million Environment Agency scheme that has been backed by Northumbria Regional Flood Defence Committee and the department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

He visited St Andrew's Primary School in Henknowle, which had to replace the floors in all of its classrooms and had to undergo a major clean-up after it was left 3ft high in water.

Headteacher at the school, David Hutchinson, said that he hoped the work next to the school would be completed by the start of the September term this year.

Mr Hutchinson said: "The contractors are keeping us informed every step of the way. There is bound to be some disruption but it will be worth it in the end.''

Flood defence walls and embankments will be built along the River Gaunless throughout both communities, including next to the school playing fields.

Detailed plans of the scheme were on display at the school last week.

The project will also see a dam built across the river at Spring Gardens, which is designed to hold back flood water upstream and will reduce the need for much higher walls downstream.

The flood defence walls and embankments will blend in with surroundings.

Mr Foster said: "I think it is a tremendous scheme and I congratulate the Environment Agency for securing the funds for it.

"I cannot help but remember the devastation on that first morning and the enormous destruction it caused.

"The local people will be reassured to know that, fingers crossed, this will never happen again once the scheme is completed."