New River Channel to Reduce Flood Risk in Ouseburn

The River Ouseburn has been diverted as part of a major scheme to tackle flooding in Brunton Park, Newcastle.

Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency began the £7 million joint flood reduction scheme in October 2014.

Work has involved installing 380 meters of new river channel to divert the flow of the Ouseburn from the estate, constructing 650 meters of flood defenses (walls and earth embankment) using the current section of Ouseburn river channel and a new storage basin to drain and store more than seven million liters of surface water.

The newly created river channel and storage basin, known as SuDS (sustainable urban drainage system), will also create additional water dependent habitat for wildlife, and a Kingfisher nest and perch will be installed.

Remaining work, which will be completed in July, will involve completing the construction of the flood defense embankment and walls; diversion and construction of surface water outfalls which will discharge surface water from the sewer network into the SuDS basin; creation of the storage basin alongside the existing river channel and reinstatement and landscaping work.

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