THE Environment Agency says the gravel island on the River South Tyne at Haydon Bridge does not increase flood risk.

But the EA insists it understands the concerns of Haydon Parish Council, which is determined to remove 6,000 tonnes of stone from the watercourse to protect homes and businesses which were devastated by Storm Desmond 12 months ago.

The parish council has successfully obtained a permit from the EA to remove the mounds of gravel on the watercourse between the village’s two bridges.

However, work cannot begin until planning permission is granted by Northumberland County Council.

An EA spokesman said: “Our national modelling team has run the gravel profile to assess any change in flood risk or water levels in Haydon Bridge.

“The results of the model show as the gravel island sits there is no increase in flood risk to properties.

“While we are confident in the results of the model, we do completely understand the concerns of residents.”

The EA admitted there was one exception – that the gravel does pose a flood risk to Graeme Murphy’s joinery workshop on the south bank.

Last week, Mr Murphy claimed that recent work to re-enforce the nearby river bank was insufficient, and that his property was still at risk of flooding.

The EA said it had spoken to Mr Murphy, and had offered advice on how he could protect his property.

Meanwhile, the EA has outlined its determination to prevent future flooding in Haydon Bridge, after investing £470,000 on reinforcing river banks and flood defences since Storm Desmond.

The agency’s recovery manager for the North-East, Julian Carrington, said: “A lot of hard work has gone into repairing damage caused by the floods to bring people up to at least the same level of protection they had last year.”