Work has begun to completely replace the Westminster Grill – the trash screen across Lukely Brook in Newport by the old Westminster Mill which contributed to the serious flooding at Christmas 2013.
The picture above, taken from an Environment Agency CCTV camera installed to monitor water levels in the brook, shows engineers commencing work on the concrete footings for the new structure.
Speaking about the news, Cllr Chris Whitehouse (Conservative, Newport West Ward) says:
“Local councillors John Hobart, Julie Jones-Evans and I have been working hard alongside officers from the Environment Agency, Southern Water and the Isle of Wight Council to identify points on Lukely Brook where improvements could reduce the risk of future flooding. The blocking of Westminster Grill was a significant contributory factor to the flooding and local residents will be relieved to see work finally commencing to have a new screen fitted to a design which is less likely to block and which will be easier to clear if it does block.
“We are determined to do all we humanly can to avoid a repeat of the flooding nightmare of Christmas 2013 which left Caesars Road so badly affected.”
The replacement of the trash screen is one of 24 actions identified by the Councillors and officers who recently spent a day travelling the length of Lukely Brook to identify all the steps that could be taken to reduce flood risks. A further report has also been commissioned from the consultancy firm, Atkins, to explore additional options for flood mitigation.
Cllr Whitehouse added:
“We hope to have the Atkins Report in November and whilst nobody has a magic wand that can whisk away all risk of future floods the Report and the 24 actions we have already identified can only help make things better.
Article continues below this advertisement “I would put on record our appreciation of the efforts of Southern Water and the Environment Agency to work with us and council officers on this really important issue.”
