An £80,000 scheme to reduce the impact of flooding on one of only two roads into a County Durham village has been completed.
During periods of heavy rainfall, the road linking Shadforth to the neighbouring village of Ludworth is frequently submerged in floodwater, making it difficult for residents and their visitors to enter and leave.
To address this, Durham County Council has carried out significant drainage improvements and introduced a new flood defence scheme. The work has included opening up a 60-meter culverted watercourse beneath the highway verge and creating a large basin capable of containing more than 500,000 litres of floodwater during extreme rainfall. This required moving 900 tonnes of earth.
The area was then landscaped, and new planting was introduced to create an attractive focal point for people entering the village from the east. Wetland habitats have also been created to enhance the local ecology.
Cllr John Shuttleworth, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for rural communities and highways, said: “We are committed to improving connectivity and accessibility across the county. This is especially important for rural communities where there is a greater danger of residents becoming isolated.
“By reducing the risk of flooding on a key entry route into Shadforth, we can help to ensure the village is accessible during periods of heavy rainfall, while also protecting the highway and delivering environmental benefits.”
To find out more about work to reduce flooding in County Durham, visit www.durham.gov.uk/Flooding
