The coastal village of Skinningrove has been granted planning permission, by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, for a new £1.7m flood alleviation scheme.
The Environment Agency-led infrastructure project aims to reduce the risk of flooding arising from the village’s beck by removing the bridge, flood gates and parapets currently in place at Stone Row.
A more permanent solution will involve the construction of a new bridge across New Company Row and Zetland Row on opposing sides of the river, positioned above the height of existing flood walls at the Riverside Building car park.
A spokesperson for the Skinningrove Flood Alleviation Scheme Project Team described the decision made by the council as a ”significant milestone” and said it could help resolve issues associated with current flood measures.
They said: “We currently close the gates at Stone Row bridge when we expect high levels in the beck. Making the decision to close the gates and ensuring this happens in time to prevent flooding is difficult, due to the flashy and often unpredictable nature of the beck.
“Sometimes this uncertainty means the gates may close at short notice and for extended periods of time until the risk of flooding has passed.”
But Brotton Ward councillor Barry Hunt, who lives in Skinningrove, is more sceptical and acknowledges several potential issues with the initiative, including vehicle and pedestrian access as well as traffic concerns.
“Anything that helps the village is welcome but the safety of the people and the village is priority,” he said. “No corners must be cut.”
The project forms as part of a wider, government-funded flood and coastal risk management programme and is set to begin construction later this year, with completion expected by March 2027.
I’m Jey, a journalism student at Teesside University and the current head of news for the TUXtra website. Following a background in economics and geography, I hope to cover a wide-range of topical issues!
