A £2.5 million programme of work by Northumbrian Water to help protect 28 homes in North Tyneside from flooding is due to begin in May.

Northumbrian Water will start the 52-week scheme on 5 May to reduce the risk of flooding to 28 homes in Cullercoats and some areas of Whitley Bay.

The work will involve the installation of 500 metres of replacement sewer pipe in the area and the upsizing of a sewer which will hold up to 560,000 litres of storm waste-water during heavy rainfall.

The water company will also install 750 metres of new, additional surface water pipes in the streets to increase the capacity of the network.

Graeme Ridley, Northumbrian Water’s Project Manager, said:

“We appreciate the devastating impact flooding can have on residents and businesses and it’s our top priority to try and reduce the likelihood of it happening again.

“Weather patterns are changing and we’re making significant investments to be better prepared for the future.”

Councillor John Harrison, North Tyneside Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for Housing and Environment, said that the council and its partners are working extremely hard to prioritise flood prevention and minimise the risk of further flooding, through a number of different schemes across the borough.

Lumsden & Carroll will carry out the scheme on behalf of Northumbrian Water.