NEGOTIATIONS are ongoing about reducing the winter storage capacity at Europe’s largest man-made lake to help better protect the Tyne Valley from future flooding.

The measure is one of a number being championed by members of the Corbridge Flood Action Group, which is working alongside the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water, Northumberland County Council and Hexham’s MP, Guy Opperman, to investigate the flood prevention possibilities available.

“The possibility of reducing the winter storage rate at Kielder to around 96 per cent full, which would allow for more capacity in flooding events, is being discussed with Northumbrian Water,” said chairman of Corbridge Parish Council, Coun. Maurice Hodgson, as he updated councillors at Wednesday night’s meeting.

“Modelling work by the Environment Agency is also under way to look at whether there would be any benefit in removing the islands from the Tyne near Corbridge Bridge. Whatever the outcome, we’ve been told the vegetation will be removed from them in the autumn.”

Corbridge was just one of the communities in Tynedale to be hit by the worst flooding event in living memory in December, in the wake of Storm Desmond.

“We’re told the flood risk assessment for the village could be changed from a one in 75-year event to a one in 50-year event,” Coun. Hodgson added.

“This could attract more funding for flood defences and maintenance in the future,” added Coun. Graham Curry, who lives on the north side of the Tyne at Well Bank, where flood water left the village green submerged and gushed into homes. The meeting also heard that the county council was planning to improve drainage on the south side of the river, where around 40 homes and businesses were flooded in Station Road and The Stanners area.

“The work is expected to start in November,” said Coun. Hodgson. “A drain near the Dyvels is thought to have failed because there wasn’t enough fall in it.

“Others on Station Road were found to have damage and blockages in them.

“A consultant from a company called Acom has also drawn up about half a dozen suggestions to better protect the houses there.”

Bunds or earth mounds strategically placed along the river are understood to be among the options being considered.