Radar station to aid flood alerts

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A £1m weather radar station is planned for the north-east of England to better protect the region against flooding.

The Met Office, Northumbrian Water and the Environment Agency want to install the region's first station at High Moorsley, near Sunderland.

The move follows severe flooding in parts of the North East in recent months, with officials claiming the station would improve forecasting.

A planning application is to be submitted to Sunderland City Council.

The High Moorsley site was chosen because of its central location in the North East and ability to provide the best possible record of rainfall.

'Protecting customers'

Jacqui Cotton, from the Environment Agency said: "The proposed North East weather radar will significantly improve our ability to predict when and where rain is likely to fall and will enable us to give more accurate and timely flood warnings.

"We estimate that more than 70 communities across the region are at risk of flooding and will directly benefit from the improved data the radar will provide."

Northumbrian Water's technical director Colin Price added: "The station is a positive step towards further protecting customers in the region from flooding and it will also help us adapt to the impacts of climate change.

"The data will also aid in the design of sewerage network improvement schemes and assist with the prioritisation of work."