A MAJOR £4million development to reduce the risk of flooding to nearly 300 homes and businesses in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot will begin this summer.
The new flood storage area in Broadway will be able to hold up to 135,000 cubic metres of water during floods and will only allow a set amount of water to flow downstream at times of intense and high rainfall.
Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot were severely flooded in 2007 following record breaking rainfall across the area.
The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Broadway Parish Council and Childswickham Parish Council have been working in partnership to secure more than £2million of Government aid to enable work to begin.
The Environment Agency’s English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee have also contributed more than £1 million.
Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are contributing £555,000 while the local parishes have raised £312,000.
The English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee (RFCC) continues to support the scheme and provided funding to enable the Environment Agency to purchase the 18 acre field where the majority of the flood storage area will be located.
As a condition of the planning application detailed archaeological investigations, part funded by Worcestershire County Council, is being undertaken.
Specialist contractors are currently on site carrying out tree clearance in preparation for the main flood scheme works.
Daniel Wilkinson from the Environment Agency said: “Flooding has a devastating impact on people’s lives and livelihoods.
“So it’s great that by working together with our partners we have managed to find a solution which means we are now one step closer to reducing the risk of flooding for residents living in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.”
Kevin Beasley from Broadway Parish Council said: “We are very pleased that the Flood Alleviation Scheme is progressing well.
“The residents of both Broadway, Childwickham and Murcot will be more reassured that the properties are safer from flooding and the devastation that they have previously experienced, once the work is completed.”
Broadway county councillor, Coun Liz Eyre said: “This project represents an enormous amount of hard work behind the scenes.
“I am simply delighted that sticking by the project, working with talented county and district officers at all levels and the EA has led to this a real outcome for my residents,” she added.
