Flood defence scheme will make a 'massive difference' to Severn Stoke, says Environment Agency
The Environment Agency have said work is currently on track to finish in mid-October, which is earlier than it had initially planned for
A multi-million pound scheme designed to better protect a Worcestershire village from flooding is progressing well, according to the Environment Agency (EA).
Work in Severn Stoke began in late April this year to create a flood bank which will run to the west of it, new drainage works, and a section of raised road where Ham Lane will pass over the flood bank.
It had initially been expected that it would be complete by this Christmas, but area flood risk manager for the EA, Charlie Chandler, said the dry weather they've had this summer has helped move it along at pace.
"One of the advantages there is it's allowed work here to progress at real speed," he said.
"We started work here just after the Easter holidays, and originally our target completion date was Christmas 2026.
"Currently, we're on schedule to be complete by mid-October, so if it all carries on well and the weather remains kind to us, we're optimistic of coming in about 6 weeks early."
Approximately £5 million from the Environment Agency along with £250,000 also coming from Worcestershire County Council has helped fund the delivery costs.
The village has been "severely impacted" by flooding in recent winters from the nearby River Severn, with the scheme something which has been in the works for a while.
"It's a scheme that we've looked at with our partners, including Worcestershire County Council, who’ve been key in helping to deliver this, over the last 10 years," Chandler said.
"We've had a real good funding opportunity that’s allowed the work to come alive this summer and we're really proud to see it coming together and we're looking forward to it being completed."
On the impact it'll have to the community there once complete, he added: "This is going to make a massive difference.
"This scheme will allow them to be able to invest in their businesses, carry on with their normal life, and make the most of their homes without being cut off for days, if not weeks at a time by flood-water."