ACCESS to Station Road in Corbridge could be restricted until the end of April as work continues to clear standing water and carry out a survey of drains in the area.

Northumberland County Council issued an emergency road closure notice on Monday allowing the B6529, which leads to homes badly affected by flooding on Station Road and The Stanners, to remain closed for up to three months if required.

Over 172,000 cubic metres of flood water was pumped away from fields around the village over the course of six days last week.

Corbridge Parish Council chairman Coun. Maurice Hodgson said: “There appear to be drainage problems in The Stanners and the county council has brought a company in which is draining the remaining water into one of the fields and then pumping it from the field back into the river.

“It is also using cameras and jetting a lot of the drains in that area to find out whether there are any other problems.”

Meanwhile, business owners who are still recovering from the impact of the floods fear a long-term closure could cause more problems.

Georgina Lester, who runs Little Tinklers nursery at Corbridge Business Centre on Tinklers Bank, said: “I thought the closure was only going to be for 10 days, so if this does continue longer term it will definitely have an impact on drop-in trade for everyone here.

“Existing parents now know the arrangements but I have an open-door policy for new families so if they come and see a ‘road closed’ sign they could well be put off.

“A lot of businesses have only just got their telephone lines and internet back up and running and I think there are still some residents off.”

A Northumberland County Council spokesman said: “The road is open to businesses and residents for access to Tinklers Bank and Station Road.

“At this stage we do not know the full extent of repairs needed. Therefore we have issued a closure notice until April 30. However we hope to open the road before then.

“If users of the road have any questions, they can contact the council on 0345 600 6400.”

Residents of Hesleyside have been warned that the road between the hamlet and Bellingham will be closed to allow for repairs to a bridge near Hesleyside Hall.

Meanwhile, the river road which connects Bywell with Ovington and Ovingham, and a bridge in Simonburn village also remain closed due to flood damage.

A number of riverside footpaths have been obstructed by landslips, flood debris, or are dangerous as a result of erosion. Reports are still coming in but the parishes affected so far include Allendale, Bardon Mill, Featherstone, Coanwood, Heddon, Wylam, Prudhoe, Ovingham, Ovington, Corbridge, Hexham, Acomb, Warden and Haydon Bridge.