Plans to repair creek's 'poor' flood defences

The creek's defences have been hit with high tides and erosion due to climate change, the Environment Agency says

Proposals to repair "poor" flood defences to protect a town and combat coastal erosion have been lodged as part of a multimillion-pound plan.

Flood defences at Greatham Creek and Greenabella Marsh, off Tees Road, near Hartlepool, had been badly damaged since they were built in the late 19th Century, the Environment Agency said.

The creek flooded in 2014 and has been damaged by drought, erosion and a rise in sea levels.

But plans submitted to Hartlepool Borough Council said the repairs would "increase adaptability and resilience to climate change", as well as create a new habitat that would enrich biodiversity.

Greatham Creek is home to various wildlife, including a seal colony and several species of bird.

The Environment Agency's work, as part of their tidal flood risk management strategy, would include the breaching and re-alignment of Greenabella embankment and the reprofiling of the existing Greatham Creek embankment, including increasing the crest level.

It would also see excavation works at Marsh House Farm to provide the clay material for the construction of new and repaired embankments.

The EA report said the defences protected major chemical and petrochemical plants and infrastructure that were "important economically on a national scale".

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash has previously spoken out about his concerns over the flood defences with Steve Reed

Hartlepool MP Jonathan Brash stressed the importance of the scheme and lobbied ministers over the issue in the House of Commons in March.

He said while the defences had been maintained over the years, their age meant they could fail, putting "communities at severe risk".

In a letter to Secretary of State for Environment Steve Reed, he said: "Without dedicated funding for the repair and future-proofing of the Greatham Creek flood defences, we risk undermining broader flood mitigation efforts in the area."

The government said it was investing £2.65bn over two years to improve flood resilience.

A decision is expected to be made on the proposals by Hartlepool Borough Council in November.