THE Environment Agency is exploring options to reduce the risk of flooding in Ponteland.

Northumberland County Council and Northumbrian Water are both working closely with the agency to review the existing defences – a series of flood embankments and flood walls along the river Pont – and assess other options for the town.

They will be looking at the viability of an integrated flood defence scheme which will consider flooding from rivers, the sewer network and surface water.

The Environment Agency worked with Northumberland County Council to advise on the planning application for a dam as part of the Dissington Garden Village proposals by developers Lugano, which received outline planning permission last week.

The Environment Agency will now investigate the potential benefits of incorporating the proposed dam into the current system of flood defences in Ponteland.

Environment Agency flood risk manager for the North- East, Leila Huntington, said: “By working with partners, we can look to minimise flood risk in Ponteland in the most effective way possible. These investigations are in the very early stages.”