Floods in Yarm could have been made worse by the Tees Barrage, according to a local councillor.
The town was hit by floods and 70mph winds yesterday. The River Tees at Yarm rose more than a metre over the regional average, recorded at a peak of 2.51 meters, according to gov.uk.
Yarm ward councillor, John Coulson, Conservative, said: “The flooding has always been a problem, I genuinely believe that the Barrage has caused more problems for Yarm than it did before it was tidal.
“As a result of that, the riverbanks are eroding very, very fast, it’s concerning.”
The Tees Barrage was built in 1995 to help control the flow of the river, maintain water levels and prevent localised flooding. The River Tees passes Yarm by forming a meander that surrounds the town on three sides.
The Canal and River Trust manage the Tees Barrage, and has been approached for comment.
Yarm has a long history of floods dating back to 1771, when the High Street flooded to a depth of over two meters.
Coulson said: “It’s been a problem that has gone on for centuries.
“I can remember back in 1966 as a young police constable in the North Riding of Yorkshire having to come from Thornaby into Yarm for what was called a flood watch.”
He explained that Yarm is elevated and “sits on top of water”, with construction workers regularly experiencing issues.
During recent renovations on the historic town hall, labourers reportedly encountered water after only a foot of excavation.
