RESIDENTS in Ovingham are to benefit from a project which it is hoped will reduce the risk of flooding in their area.

The proposed scheme, which is part of Northumbrian Water’s Rainwise initiative and is joint-funded with Northumberland County Council, will see four grassed storage basins created – two on land behind Dene Garth, one behind Piper Road and another off Horsley Road.

A swale – a shallow grassy channel to divert rainwater – will also be installed on land behind Piper Road, in collaboration with Karbon Homes. This will capture surface water flows from farmland in the north.

The Pipers Hole culvert will be partially abandoned, with the watercourse diverted to the east of Piper Road.

At Dene Close, underground storage will be installed in the grassed area, while an additional 30 metres of sewer pipe will be installed at the entrance to the estate.

This is the final part of the Rainwise initiative in the area which has also seen work carried out in Wylam and Prudhoe to improve the resilience of the sewer network that serves the three villages.

Work is expected to start on Monday, October 16 and take around six months, and is due for completion in April, 2018.