WORK on a new flood alleviation scheme has started in Cherry Burton to help reduce the flood risk to properties in Canada Drive.
Costing £100,000 and funded by Defra, the scheme will provide an alternative flow route for water during exceptional rain fall and will be achieved by the innovative solution of using recycled plastic sheet piles as the core in an earthwork embankment.
The scheme will be accompanied by minor reshaping of the fields to the north of Canada Drive and will mean that during construction vehicle movements will be kept to a minimum.
Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said: “The council takes flood prevention very seriously and has been involved in over 100 schemes in the past four years.
“Like many parts of the East Riding, Cherry Burton was subject to flooding in 2007, causing damage to both residential and business properties, and the works being carried out in Canada Drive will reduce the risk of flooding should a similar weather occurrence happen in the future.”
The scheme complements works already carried out in Cherry Burton to repair the pipe drainage system and provide new trash screens at the entrances to the drainage system.
Works are expected to be finished by the end of January 2012 and will be carried out by Beverley-based contractor Wold Construction.
Coun Parnaby said the Council was delighted that the scheme was being constructed by a local firm, ensuring the safeguarding of jobs in the East Riding.