Work to begin on £5m Filey flood protection
New year will see the beginning of the project following 14 years of waiting
After 14 long years Filey’s Flood Alleviation scheme is finally a reality. Scarborough Council’s cabinet signed off on the £5 million plans this month, with work due to start in the new year.
The plans have taken nearly 14 years to come to fruition.
Scarborough Borough Council, which is leading the project to improve flood defences in Filey, commissioned a series of boreholes and trial pits in fields to the north and west of the town so soil and rock samples could be gathered and analysed.
The results of the studies shaped the design of the Filey Flood Alleviation Scheme, which has been developed by the council, with backing from the Filey Flood Working Group and other partners, to provide protection to more than 550 properties considered to be at risk from a “one in 100 year” rainfall event.
The idea behind the scheme is to create a series of swales and bunds around much of Filey to intercept runoff water from the higher surrounding agricultural land before it overwhelms the existing drainage system in the town.
Some of the intercepted water would be diverted towards the sea, while some would be temporarily contained in storage areas - possibly in temporary wetland or ponds - until it could be discharged in a more controlled manner
The scheme will be rubberstamped by the full council on January 9, with work due to begin in the second quarter of 2017. Cllr Mike Cockerill said: “There’s still one or two things to formalise with landowners for the scheme, just getting all the paper work sorted so it can be signed and what not.
“This is why we recommended approval to full council in January but it’s very good news for everyone in Filey that we are finally at this stage, it’s been a long wait.” The NHS is encouraging people in Filey and Hunmanby to plan their healthcare during the festive season.
With advice on common illnesses and the best medicines to treat them, visiting the pharmacist can save you time in the waiting room and help you feel better fast.
Dr Paul Twomey, medical director at NHS England in Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “Pharmacists offer expert, confidential advice and treatment for many minor health problems.”
“Many pharmacies will remain open over the Christmas holidays, when other routine services may be less available.
“As most GP surgeries will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day we would also encourage patients to ‘plan ahead’ and order any routine medication they need in plenty of time.”
Boots pharmacy at 3234 Murray Street, Filey, will be open on Monday December 26, Tuesday December27andMonday January 2, from 10am to 4pm each day.