A MAJOR scheme to repair flood damage along Cod Beck, in Thirsk, is due to start at the beginning of October.

The £29,000 project will see parts of the bank of the beck restored and strengthened, and a gravel footpath washed away during recent floods replaced. The scheme is expected to be completed by mid-December.

Mr Mick Jewitt, head of planning policy and economic development at Hambleton District Council, said: "Some disruption must be expected during the work, although it should be minimal because the footpath is not a through-route."

Flood damage has repeatedly occurred on the stretch of the riverbank owned by the authority, which includes the footpath that leads to the Rotary club picnic area and extends the riverside walk alongside Millgate car park. The path will be resurfaced and realigned to make it more accessible for disabled users.

A 61m stretch of the riverbank close to the Todds Yard housing development will be strengthened using rock-filled cylinders.

The council's head of technical services, Mr David McGloin, said: "This section of Cod Beck has been prone to flooding damage for several years.

"This scheme is intended to alleviate the problem of erosion and reduce the threat of flooding damage to nearby homeowners."

He said the council had been holding discussions with the Cod Beck internal drainage board, which is responsible for the river and flood alleviation.

The scheme will use some of the material washed away from the banks and deposited on the shoal bank at Finkle Street bridge.