Teesside’s Transporter Bridge will be closed to vehicles for up to two months from next week as work to protect hundreds of Port Clarence homes and businesses from the threat of flooding continues.

From Monday the bridge will be closed to cars and other road vehicles for up to two months to allow for the vital road raising works to take place.

The work is part of a multi-million pound alleviation scheme designed to lessen the flood risk to around 350 homes and 32 businesses. A 35-metre section of the road on the approach to the bridge, which is currently a flooding issue, will be raised by around half a metre.

Environment Agency Project Manager Chris Milburn said the road raising is a vital element of the overall scheme to reduce the risk of flooding to homes and businesses in Port Clarence which would result in long term protection for the community.

The Agency is working closely with its partners at Stockton Borough Council and Middlesbrough Council to deliver the scheme and began building defences at Port Clarence in March, with work expected to be complete in the winter.

The most recent impact of flooding in Port Clarence was seen in December 2013, when a tidal surge combined with high spring tides affected around 50 homes and businesses.

The £3 million scheme is unusual in that it includes a section of removable defence along the River Tees so local business Wilton Engineering is still able to operate from the river. Wilton is manufacturing part of the flood defences to help protect themselves and the local community.