A FLOOD prevention scheme is scheduled for an area in Corbridge.

While homes on Crofts Avenue has escaped the worst of the flooding the village has seen over the years, particularly in 2015 and 2005, Northumbrian Water revealed at a public meeting its plans to install larger pipes in the area to store excess rainwater during times of heavy rainfall.

It is part of the firm’s Rainwise initiative which, working with its partners and local communities, reduces the risk of flooding in the future by removing surface water from the sewer network.

The work, due to start some time in 2019, would cost around £700,000. During the work, access to Crofts Avenue would be maintained at all times, although single carriageway traffic lights would be installed.

Northumbrian Water’s project manager, Lynn Preston, said: “We’re looking to the future and trying to find opportunities to reduce the risk of flooding by increasing the capacity in our sewer network. We’ve identified an area in Corbridge where we could do this and, at the moment, we’re just seeing what people think of our proposals.

“I’d encourage residents to head over to the Corbridge page on www.nwlcommunityportal.co.uk, take a look at our plans and feed back their views on the scheme so that we can deliver this project with the least disturbance, and in collaboration with the community.”

Northumberland county councillor for Corbridge, Coun. Nick Oliver, said the short term disturbance of the works would be worth the long term benefits.