New flood defence scheme in Worcester built to reduce risk of flooding to homes as winter arrives
The scheme on Toronto Close in Lower Wick has cost £2.5m
The Environment Agency say a new flood defence scheme which has been built in Worcester will help reduce the risk of flooding to homes as winter approaches.
Costing £2.5m, an embankment on open land next to the Laughern Brook has been added alongside flood gates to Toronto Close in Lower Wick, as well as the strengthening of a wall on Old Road.
Properties in the area are known to have a history of dealing with flooding after 16 were flooded in 2007, with the water levels in the River Severn and River Teme impacting the nearby Laughern Brook.
The area flood risk manager for the Environment Agency Charlie Chandler says the new defences should be a real help to residents.
"The scheme's designed to reduce flood risk for approximately 26 properties," he said.
"It was brilliant talking to residents hearing about how the scheme has helped reassure them, and the fact that they can now go to bed and not worry about them waking up with water in their property in the middle of the night.
"Approximately 400 metres of flood wall now runs through the back of various property gardens, along with a couple of flood gates to allow the community to continue to gain access when there's not flooding in action.
"When there is flooding, the community will work with the Environment Agency to close these flood gates to ensure no flood water comes in, and we want to continue to do everything we can to help reduce flood risk for communities."
In 2020, the area was also impacted by flooding during Storm Dennis, with many residents having to evacuate their homes.