Town centre disruption warning over flood work

Motorists are being advised that the Corporation Street car park, situated next to Chantry Bridge over the River Don, will be closed for 20 weeks to allow the £750,000 Chantry Bridge Flood Alleviation Scheme to be carried out.

The scheme, which is being carried out by Rotherham Borough Council in partnership with the Environment Agency, will see the installation of a pumping station and the construction of a new wall along the riverside walk.

The pumping station will be sited beneath the Corporation Street car park and will discharge water into the adjacent river when levels get too high.

Central Rotherham and around 40 commercial and business premises, worth almost £30 million, will have their flood risk reduced by the scheme.

The nearby bus station will also be protected from river flooding as will the Chapel on the Bridge, which is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Cllr Gerald Smith said: “Local businesses and companies will tell you how bad the flooding was and these works will prevent that happening again.

“The flooding in 2007 was disastrous for these businesses, being caused by flooding from both the river and the sewers as well as surface water.

“This scheme will prevent the river flooding over into this area, protecting both businesses and local jobs as well as making it a more inviting area for future investment.”

Commenting on disruption caused by the works, Cllr Smith added: “Obviously, the 20  places in the car park will be unavailable while the work is ongoing but the car park will be reinstated prior to Christmas and I hope motorists will understand the need for the disruption.”

Negotiations are currently ongoing with the Environment Agency and other partner organisations regarding phase two of the scheme.

This will involve the design and installation of a new highway sewer system around Corporation Street, Bridgegate and Frederick Street.

The system will be designed to relieve pressure on the existing public sewer network and discharge surface water directly into the new pumping station on Corporation Street.