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Residents and businesses in a flood risk South Tyneside community are reminded that they can find out more about a scheme to protect their properties next week.

Around 129 households and commercial properties in the Cleadon area are set to benefit from a flood alleviation scheme to help reduce the risk of flooding in the area.

Â鶹ÊÓƵ is working with its partners, including Bam Nuttall and Royal Haskoning to construct the scheme with work due to start in the summer.

Local residents and businesses will get the chance to talk to the project team, discuss their views on the scheme and any flooding issues they have experienced at a drop-in session taking place on Tuesday 3 March, from 3.30pm to 7pm, at Cleadon Methodist Church.

Councillor Joan Atkinson, Lead Member for Area Management and Community Safety at Â鶹ÊÓƵ, said: "We want to work closely with the local community to hear about any flooding issues residents have witnessed or experienced in the area.

"Flooding has occurred in several locations within the Cleadon Village area so we know how important this scheme is to prevent future flood devastation and improve the area's overall resilience to flooding.

"Over the coming months, BAM Nuttall, working on our behalf, will be carrying out investigation work to aid design works.

"This is a great opportunity for people to meet the team, ask any questions and find out more about the proposed measures being taken to provide better protection for properties across the area."

The council has been looking at economically viable options at two areas in particular around Cleadon Lea and Sunderland Road where there are opportunities to mitigate surface water flooding through the use of sustainable urban drainage options.

Other options for flood risk reduction include embankments, ditches and grassed depressions often known as wet detention basins, which will have a wider social and environmental benefit, including the creation of valuable wildlife habitat.  Similar methods were implemented in the award-winning Monkton flood alleviation scheme.

Anyone who is unable to attend the session but would like to find out more about the scheme can contact the Cleadon Flood Alleviation Project team on  email developmentservices@southtyneside.gov.uk.