New flood defence system to protect upper dale villages

PARISH councillors in the upper dale have invested in a new and innovative flood defence system to help prevent any future damage to homes and businesses.
Residents in Middleton-in-Teesdale woke to find their belongings submerged back in December 2015 as a result of Storm Desmond.
Those living on California Row were affected by the heavy rain which left them in desperate need of emergency sandbags.
Middleton Forge came to their rescue on that occasion, but councillors in the village and surrounding areas have now joined forces to make sure such resources are on hand in the future.
Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council clerk Judith Mashiter said: “It was a response to the flooding in December 2015 at California Row. Middleton-in-Teesdale and Newbiggin Parish Council wrote to several parish councils around to see if they would club together to buy some FloodSax.”
FloodSax are a modern sandless alternative to sandbags. They are as light as a pillow before being used and are designed to hold back floodwater more effectively.
Eggleston Parish Council contributed towards the £350 cost of 60 FloodSax, which are being stored at Middleton-in-Teesdale Fire Station on Gas Lane.
Ms Mashiter said: “They are to be used across the upper dale, as and when needed, to help alleviate the problem of flood water going in people’s properties. The fire service has had experience of using them elsewhere and they say they were effective.”