Minister in driving seat to oversee £14m flood defence scheme

The 14 million flood alleviation scheme was launched earlier this year. It involves building reinforced walls and a 4.5 acre 'compensation area'.

The compensation area will be flooded when the Don is very high to ease pressure on the river and prevent it bursting its banks.

Experts say the scheme should help to prevent a repeat of the disastrous flooding in June and July when both the Don and the River Rother burst their banks.

If it had been in place in June it is thought some of the flooding in Rotherham town centre could have been avoided.

The scheme should also help safeguard new shops, restaurants and apartments planned as part of Rotherham's massive Westgate riverside development. Planners say they want to regard the river as an attractive asset and not a flood risk.

Kelham

Island Museum was today being visited the minister for Culture, Creative Industries and Tourism. Margaret Hodge being shown the extent of the damage to buildings and some of the valuable industrial collection.