A MAJOR project to protect a Ponteland slope is making progress.
Following works to examine the riverbank and natural slope at Fox Covert due to concerns about its stability, the Environment Agency has now agreed to the scheme.
Ponteland Town Council commissioned Scott Doherty Associates to carry out a desktop study of the area and it found that a section of the bank, approximately 120m, required some works in order to stabilise it.
The consultants had submitted estimates for preparation of the project and the authority has now instructed it to come up with a contract for the works.
Coun Robin Ramsay, Mayor of Ponteland, said: "It's encouraging that progress is being made on this scheme, but there is still some way to go.
"A contract with a firm price is needed before we can make applications for funding."
The council aims to finance the scheme by a combination of a ten-year loan, balances and grants and the intention is for the works to be carried out during the 2010/11 financial year.
This would have an impact on next year's budget, which is set to be confirmed in January.
Ponteland Town Council commissioned Scott Doherty Associates to carry out a desktop study of the area and it found that a section of the bank, approximately 120m, required some works in order to stabilise it.
The consultants had submitted estimates for preparation of the project and the authority has now instructed it to come up with a contract for the works.
Coun Robin Ramsay, Mayor of Ponteland, said: "It's encouraging that progress is being made on this scheme, but there is still some way to go.
"A contract with a firm price is needed before we can make applications for funding."
The council aims to finance the scheme by a combination of a ten-year loan, balances and grants and the intention is for the works to be carried out during the 2010/11 financial year.
This would have an impact on next year's budget, which is set to be confirmed in January.
Source: Morpeth Herald
