Work to begin on vitally needed village flood defence project

The Environment Agency has announced work is to begin at Potto, near Stokesley, on the edge of the North York Moors, with the village flooding at least six times in the last 30 years and 25 homes currently at risk.

The scheme is part of £30m new flood prevention proposals recently announced across Yorkshire, despite it being revealed that dozens more vitally needed projects will never get off the ground unless costs are dramatically reduced.

The £614,000 defence work at Potto will consist of a 770 metre-long earth bank around the southern part of the village.

Environment Agency spokesman Nigel Darling, said: “These defences are vital to offering protection to 25 properties in Potto currently at risk of flooding from Potto Beck.

“We have spoken regularly with the community throughout the project and will continue to do so to ensure any impact from the works is minimised.”

Construction will begin towards the end of April and take around 17 weeks to complete.

Details of the schemes receiving funding from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in 2012/13 for flood risk management projects, flood warning service improvements and maintenance schemes, were announced by the Environment Agency in February.