Yarm Flood Alleviation Scheme

The Environment Agency is replacing Yarm flood gates because:

• The existing gates are deteriorating faster than expected. They continue to protect Yarm however the gates do need to be replaced.
• We have a new flood gate specification – using this specification to design new gates means that we will have gates that are safer and easier to operate.
• Wide single leaf swinging flood gates can be dangerous to operate in windy conditions or on uneven ground, putting our staff at risk of injury. Consequently, we have made some gates smaller and changed some to sliding gates to make them safer to operate.

Another benefit of the new gates is that we will be able to shut the gates more quickly. This means that we will be able to shut them later reducing the impact on residents. There will still be some instances where we need to close the gates early.

Over the last few years we have engaged with all residents and landowners in Yarm who have flood gates on their properties. We have agreed with all landowners whether their flood gate can be removed and blocked up or replaced. In some instances, we have agreed with the landowner to reduce the opening width of the flood gate.

Thank you for everyone’s cooperation as we’ve gone through this process.

For more detailed information, you can find our newsletters on this web page, dates and times for community drop-in events, or contact us at EA-YarmFAS@environment-agency.gov.uk 

Continuation of works – Third phase of the flood gate replacement has commenced.

The new flood gates on the West side of Yarm (Phase two) which provide access onto True Lovers Walk have been installed and tested, with re-instatement and finalisation of the safe working platforms ongoing. The team are now well underway with the third and final phase of the project, which involves the installation of 5 new flood gates and the infilling of one gate opening, all within private gardens.

We have spoken directly with all landowners and occupants who will be impacted by the replacement of this next phase of gates and we will continue to engage with landowners and stakeholders about the ongoing work, including any further testing we need to undertake on installed gates.

We anticipate that the final phase of the project will be completed by the end of July 2025.

Please note that all dates provided are our best estimate at this moment in time, and may change, especially if we experience poor weather and the flood gates need to be operated.

Image showing Gate 20-22 near the Yarm Road Bridge

True Lovers Walk

We fully understand the use and enjoyment that the community gets from the True Lovers Walk and note the impact on the community when this public footpath is out of use.

Due to the need to create a safe working environment, the closure of sections of True Lovers Walk during the works has been required. Where closures have been required, we have done this in a phased manner to reduce impacts to the local community.  

The works and associated reinstatement on the West side of Yarm along True Lovers Walk are close to being completed. This work is a critical part of the project and involves the construction of new access steps and platforms which are designed to provide a safe working area for our staff when operating the new flood gates.

We are pleased to advise that the majority of the construction works have been completed, however access for plant is still required along True Lovers Walk to accommodate the remaining works and reinstatement of the path. Access along the western section of True Lovers Walk will continue to be restricted until mid-May 2025.

Image showing new passing places installed on True Lovers Walk – tarmac to be laid.

Whilst we understand that this could be inconvenient to walkers in the short term, this closure is necessary to facilitate access needs and means that we can safely deliver the scheme. We want to reassure residents that we are doing everything possible to re-open the remaining sections of footpath as soon as we can. We apologise for any inconvenience our activities may cause and thank you for your continued patience and cooperation.

As part of the scheme’s drive to deliver environmental enhancement, we had planned to plant some trees and hedging along True Lovers Walk during February and March 2025. Unfortunately aligning this with the ongoing re-instatement hasn’t been possible, so the planting will now be undertaken during the next planting season, in Autumn 2025 – closure of the footpath should not be required to deliver this planting.

Please note that all dates provided are our best estimate at this moment in time, and may change, especially if we experience poor weather and the flood gates need to be operated.