Hello Everyone

Just thought I would touch base with you all to confirm that the ground investigation work will commence early next week.

We will be onsite for a day undertaking windowless sampling. This is a geotechnical investigation which will allow the engineering team to assess the soil conditions within which the flood reduction works are proposed. The drilling rig will be mounted on rubber tracks and disturbance will be minimal. Upon completion the bore holes will be reinstated back to the original condition.

 A plan showing the borehole locations are posted on the Planned Works tab.  

If you have any queries please feel free to contact me via this portal or by ringing our Customer Contact Centre on 0345 717 1100.  I will be pleased to help.

Hi

If you recall we wrote to you in June, seeking your views about the flood risk reduction projects we were proposing as part of our surface water management programme Rainwise. I would like to update you on the progress that has been made on these projects in your area.

Northumbrian Water continues to work closely with Northumberland County Council through the development of the proposed solutions. In preparation for this work, the following steps have been undertaken:

• Northumberland County Council has shared all available site data with Northumbrian Water.
• The hydraulic model has been updated following a sewer proving exercise.
• The proposed solutions are being developed into final designs.
• The land and ownership has been identified where works are being proposed.
• The appropriate Construction Notices and the associated Highway Notices have been served to the council.
• Ground investigations are being planned and will be undertaken in the lead up to Christmas.

Our investigation into flood risk reduction opportunities has identified an opportunity to further improve flood risk protection in the vicinity. The drawing posted on the planned works tab shows the addition of localized bunding and the minor regarding of the verge between Rowan Grove and Prudhoe Castle First School, these works will direct any surface flows into the drainage network.  The work remains subject to approval however it is hoped that work will commence in March.

The enclosed drawing shows the addition of localised bunding and minor regrading of the verge between Rowan Grove and Prudhoe Castle First School. An overland flow risk has been identified and these works will direct any surface flow into the drainage network. 

 If you have any questions, please get in touch with me.  I hope to hear from you soon.

Hi

If you witnessed any flooding or drainage problems that occured during or following the storm overnight on Monday, please do share your photos and stories with me.  Even if you do not think it's a Northumbrian Water issue, I can always assist in getting the information across to the relevant parties.

If you have any questions on their investigations, please get in touch with me.  I hope to hear from you soon.

Pupils from Mickley First School helped us to kick off our Rainwise initiative last week, and thoroghly enjoyed getting their hands dirty!

We spent the morning with the kids to launch the scheme, which includes our work in the area to reduce the risk of flooding proactively by managing surface water.

With our support, they made rain gauges, explored permeable and impermeable surfaces and planted flowers in the new planters we had donated. We're also working with contractors Esh-MWH  to create a sustainable drainage system at the school, by installing planters and a water butt. Roof rainwater will also be diverted into a wildlife pond to help prevent surface water entering the sewerage network.

Head teacher of Mickley First School, Andy Hudson, said: “We were delighted to be asked to take part in this new scheme and the children had a fantastic morning getting their hands dirty. The children now understand they can have an impact, however small, on their area and we hope that through being involved in this project it will encourage others to take action to help reduce the impact of flooding.”

https://www.nwl.co.uk/media-centre/611_6764.aspx

Hi

You may have noted in the local press formal Notices from Northumberland County Council for road, or lane closures, associated with the works proposed within Prudhoe, Ovingham and Wylam. Concerns have been raised that the closure will have a significant impact on access to property within and beyond the extent of the closure.

Traditional open cut sewer installation will be adopted to install most of the new drainage proposed. The work will consist of excavating a trench, installing trench support, laying the new sewer, removing the trench support, backfilling and reinstatement. When working space is restricted road closures are sometimes required. The contractor would typically work within approximately 40 - 50m of road at any one time, by working in this way we will maintain access to properties within the overall road closure zone. When working directly adjacent to property access to driveways will be restricted. To maintain access any junctions will be crossed in "two halves". Outside working hours access to cul-de-sacs beyond the road closures will be maintained, during working hours there may short periods were access is restricted, you will be able to park within 25m of your property during these periods. Footpaths will remain open at all times.   With construction work it is inevitable that there will be some disruption, we will do everything we can to keep any disruption and inconvenience to a minimum     

Kind Regards

Ian

NWL Project Manager

Hi everyone, my name is Ian Davison and I am the Project Manager for the work we are planning on carrying out in your area.

We are working with communities to proactively manage the amount of rainwater in our sewer network, as part of our surface water management programme Rainwise. This will help to reduce the risk of flooding in future, including to those who have never flooded before.

We’ve identified some small scale flood risk reduction opportunities in Prudhoe and myself and the rest of the project team will be keeping you updated as our plans progress. I’ve just added the plans which give you an overview of where we are planning to carry out work and you can download them by checking out the ‘Planned work’ page.

We’d like to hear from you if you have any feedback about our proposals or want to make us aware of any issues surrounding surface water in your area. Through this scheme we really want to understand where surface water in the area goes during heavy rainfall.

Please leave your comments on this update, or get in touch using the ‘Contact us’ button at the top of the page.