Construction FAQs

The scheme will involve:

• Removal of Stone Row Bridge and its flood gates. 
• Construction of a new, higher bridge upstream that will not require flood gates. 
• Give residents of Zetland Row and Grove Hill 24/7 vehicle access regardless of water levels. 
• During construction, Grove Hill residents will have 24/7 access through Magpie Wood Glamping site. 

All being well construction will start later this year 2026. 

We currently close the flood gates at Stone Row Bridge when we expect high water levels in the beck. The flashy and unpredictable nature of the beck can make it difficult to operate the flood gates in time. Sometimes this means we may close the gates at short notice and for extended periods of time. The closure of the gates cuts off the only vehicle route for Zetland Row and Grove Hill, limiting emergency access. The scheme aims to offer the residents of Skinningrove greater peace of mind during severe weather by eliminating their reliance on manually operated flood defences. In the past, the low height of Stone Row Bridge has also meant it is vulnerable to debris build-up, leading to blockages and increased flood risk to nearby properties. For these reasons, removal of the bridge will contribute to a reduction in flood risk.

The scheme was granted planning permission in mid February 2026 and received Full Business Case approval at the end of April 2026. We are currently awaiting confirmation of government funding for the scheme in 2027. Provided funding is confirmed for 2027, we hope to start construction later this year, 2026. The works are expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.  

The overall cost of the scheme is around £13 million. The scheme is all the more complex and costly due to the village’s tightly confined setting. We have carefully checked that the scheme provides good value for money, following national guidance (the HM Treasury Green Book). In simple terms, this means the benefits of the scheme must be greater than the cost of delivering it.  

The new bridge will be constructed between New Company Row and Zetland Row, about 200 yards upstream of the existing bridge at Stone Row.  

This option was considered as part of our appraisal. To remove the need for flood gates, and achieve the flood risk objectives of the scheme, the new bridge needs to be built high enough to sit above the existing flood walls. However, there isn’t enough space at Stone Row to accommodate a bridge at this height, along with the ramps that would be needed for vehicles to access it.

We recognise the multiple benefits of working upstream to attenuate, or slow, flows naturally. This approach, known as natural flood management, has been considered and is being progressed. A partnership initiative has been established, including the Environment Agency, North York Moors National Park Authority, Tees Valley Wildlife Trust and other stakeholders such as local landowners. The goal is to reduce flood risk, enhance habitats, improve water quality, and support farmers and land managers as they adapt to a changing policy and climate environment. We intend to identify practical opportunities to improve upstream land and habitat management to help reduce flood risk, improve climate resilience, and support a nature-rich and productive landscape. The initiative is submitting a bid to the Northumbrian Water Group ‘Bluespaces’ fund to support feasibility work in 2026 and 2027.

While this work will undoubtedly help to reduce flood risk, it is unlikely to fully protect the village on its own. The works planned in the village aim to provide a stronger and more dependable level of protection for the community.

In summary, natural flood management measures are being explored, but they are only part of the overall solution required to reduce flood risk in Skinningrove.

Early in the design process, and following feedback from local residents, we explored the option of building a new footbridge between Zetland Row and Stone Row. However, for the bridge to be safe and accessible for everyone, it would need to be higher than the existing flood walls and include ramps rather than just steps. Our initial assessments showed that this would make the bridge very costly to build, and there is not enough space on the Stone Row side in particular to accommodate the required ramps. For these reasons, this option could not be taken forward.

The benefits of the scheme are:

• The community will no longer be dependent on the manual operation of the flood gates for protection against flooding. 
• The existing bridge can trap woody debris, increasing flood risk; removing it will help reduce this risk.
• Improved access for larger vehicles, delivery vans, emergency services, etc. which struggle to use the existing bridge due to its restricted width.
• Permanent access to Zetland Row and Grove Hill, regardless of water levels in the beck; these properties are currently inaccessible by vehicle when the flood gates are closed.

This option was explored. Automation has its limitations. In the event of a system failure, a field team would still need to be deployed to manually close the flood gates, meaning the fundamental issue remains unresolved. It also does not address the access problem - vehicles would still be unable to enter or exit during an emergency, even if the gates operate automatically. By contrast, one of the key benefits of the proposed scheme is a wider bridge, allowing easier access for larger vehicles.

We believe it is. The new bridge, by enabling the removal of the existing bridge and flood gates at Stone Row, will reduce the risk of flooding to more than 170 properties in the village. When high river levels are expected you will benefit from the peace of mind of having uninterrupted vehicular access to your property (when the existing flood gates are closed, which often happens at short notice, you and the emergency services lose vehicular access to your property). The new bridge will also be wider than the existing bridge meaning easier access in future for emergency vehicles, delivery vehicles, etc. It will also have a dedicated footpath to ensure the safe passage of pedestrians.  

There will be regular updates on this Engagement page, where will keep residents informed with alerts, changes and events. There will be BAM staff around the village who can answer questions and, at specific times, there will be notice boards when specific roads will be impacted. We will plan to inform residents in plenty of time.

We welcome your feedback and are happy to hear from you. There are two main ways to get in touch:

- Email: SkinningroveFAS@environment-agency.gov.uk

- This Engagement Page

Please feel free to contact us to share any comments, questions, or concerns.

No. We will continue to maintain the defences that are there. We have a presence with our Flood Resilience officers that are there to support and work with the community to maintain ongoing resilience.

Construction activities are restricted to the following hours in accordance with planning conditions: 08:00 to 18:00 Monday to Friday, and 08:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays. No construction work is permitted on Sundays or public holidays.