A number of trees had to be removed so that existing
flood defences on the south bank of the River Pont can
be replaced with one continuous sheet piled flood wall
that will better protect more than 250 homes.
Some trees will be planted adjacent to the river as the
land is reinstated as part of the project, with the
rest planted a short distance away in the school
grounds. The new school meadow will include a mix of
native oak, hazel, rowan and birch on one side and an
avenue of flowering crab apple and cherry trees along
the opposite side.
Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme is due for
completion in early summer and will be finished with a
stone effect and colour to complement the local
environment.
Boost for
wildlife
The Environment Agency’s Kirsty Harwood, Ponteland
Flood Scheme Project Manager, said:
This is a great opportunity to compensate for the
trees lost to enable the better flood protection.
It’s been wonderful to work with the children and
create a more diverse mix of native trees in a school
setting.
The new meadow will also bring a boost for wildlife,
with nectar and berries from the flowering trees
supporting insects, bees and birds. The overall
increase in diversity and the number of trees will
improve habitat and local biodiversity in the area.
Ponteland Community Primary School Headteacher Caroline
Pryer added:
We’re really pleased to give a home to these trees as
they will add to our ambition of being a Forest
School, complement the original hedging from Lane
Farm and extend our growing legacy for our community.
The £2.7million Ponteland Flood Alleviation Scheme was
the first project in the country to get off the ground
out of the 22 flood defence projects to benefit from a
£170million government funding boost last
summer.
The investment brought forward work on flood defence
schemes across the country to drive economic growth and
better protect thousands of homes, business and jobs
from the devastating effects of flooding.
Ponteland received a £450,000 cash injection used to
fill a shortfall in funding, allowing the Environment
Agency to start construction immediately.
The £170million government funding boost was on top of
the record £5.2 billion government investment to create
around 2,000 new flood and coastal defences to better
protect 336,000 properties across England by 2027.
More information about Ponteland Flood Alleviation
Scheme can be found by visiting the Environment
Agency’s Citizen Space
page.
