Work to help prevent Monktonmead Brook from bursting its banks and flooding homes in Ryde has been delayed by a year – because planning permission wasn’t submitted quick enough by the Environment Agency.
It was initially planned that work would commence at the beginning of this month between the end of the Summer season and the start of the nesting season for birds. However, residents were informed at a meeting on Tuesday that the flood defence scheme will now not commence until September 2018.
The news means that residents are at risk again this winter, with previous years seeing homes flood on The Strand and Simeon Street and Simeon Street recreation ground becoming a lake.
Ryde has a long history of flooding dating back over 100 years. In particular, significant incidents have been recorded in 1909, 1936, 1965, 1999, with more recent flooding occurring in 2000, 2010 and 2013. Currently there are over 300 properties are risk of flooding.
Ingrid Harrison, a local resident has said:
“It’s taken 7 years to get this far. To fall at the final hurdle is devastating.
“Let’s hope we don’t flood again”.
Councillor Wayne Whittle, who has been fighting on behalf of residents for a number of years, confirmed to Island Echo last night (Wednesday) that funding for the scheme is secured and the price won’t increase.
The Environment Agency plan to erect barriers around Simeon Street to create a reservoir almost, as well as diverting the outfall pipe from Cornwall Slip to Ryde Harbour.
