News: Rotherham town centre flood work completes

A car park in Rotherham town centre has reopened to the public this week as a further phase of works to prevent flooding is now complete.

A new pumping station has been installed under the Corporation Street site together with a new defensive wall along the adjacent riverside walk.

The new wall has been constructed to achieve the 1 in 100 year flood defence level. The wall has brickwork cladding to both faces and is topped with stone copings in keeping with the location.

The block paving to Riverside Walk has been relaid and new lighting is being installed between Chantry Bridge and the Tesco footbridge.

The £750,000 Chantry Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme has been carried out by Rotherham Borough Council in partnership with the Environment Agency. The work has reduced the flood risk to central Rotherham and protected about 40 commercial and business premises. These cover an area of 105,693 sq ft and are valued at almost £30m.

The nearby bus station and the Chapel on the Bridge – a Scheduled Ancient Monument - and one of only five remaining bridge chapels in the country, will also be protected.

Coun. Gerald Smith, Cabinet Member for Town Centres, Economic Growth and Prosperity at Rotherham Borough Council, said: "The flooding in 2007 was disastrous with flooding from both the river and the sewers as well as surface water. This scheme will prevent the river flooding over into this area and making it a more inviting area for future investment."

20 parking spaces are provided on the site which is situated next to the Mecca Bingo Club.

RMBC website

Images: rotherham.gov.uk