FLOOD defences in a Gaunless Valley village are to undergo improvement works in the coming weeks.
The Spring Mill Wildlife Dam was created after devastating floods that affected more than 400 homes in West Auckland and South Church 19 years ago when the River Gaunless and Oakley Beck burst their banks.
Worked started on the £7.8 million pound flood defence scheme in 2003 and took three years to complete.
The River Gaunless was diverted from its natural course into a new channel and a 15ft dam located behind properties at Spring Gardens was created. Walls and embankments along the river were also built to blend in with the surroundings and protect homes and businesses from further flooding.
Since the defences were installed the Environment Agency has had to remedy problems relating to the build up of silt deposits on several occasions, most recently in 2015 when part of the channel feeding the dam was re-designed to reduce the problem.
Now the Environment Agency is proposing to carry out improvement works to these flood defences.
The proposed improvements include replacing an existing inlet debris screen and two ramps to allow easier access for maintenance.
The works will also narrow the channel immediately upstream of the screen to reduce the settlement of silt.
The Environment Agency says the improvement works are not likely to have significant effects on the environment and does not intend to prepare an environment statement in respect of them.
Anyone wishing to make representations in relation to the likely environmental effects of the proposed improvements work needs to write to Dr Cliff Jessett at The Environment Agency in Newcastle by September 1.
