LONG-AWAITED work on a new £2.5million flood scheme to better protect residents and their homes in a Worcester street blighted by flooding has begun.
The Environment Agency together with Worcestershire County Council have launched a bid to tackle the devastation caused by rising river levels to 26 homes in Toronto Close in Lower Wick.
Toronto Close has a history of flooding from the River Severn and River Teme, which impacts the water level of the nearby Laugherne Brook during and after heavy rainfall.
The record-breaking floods of July 2007 saw 16 properties flooded internally, with the depth of water reaching up to 800mm.
Further flooding took place in 2020 during Storm Dennis when many residents had to evacuate their homes.
Charles Chandler, area flood risk manager for the Environment Agency said:
“We know the devastating impact flooding can have and sadly has been experienced first-hand by some residents of Toronto Close.
“We are very pleased to be starting work on this flood risk management scheme for Toronto Close to better protect homes from flooding.”
The scheme starts in open ground to the west of Toronto Close and ties into high ground at Teme Court.
It is approximately 255m long and consists of an embankment across open land and through residential gardens along the Laugherne Brook as well as the strengthening and rebuilding of the existing historic wall along Old Road.
Two flood gates will also be installed in front of existing accesses from Toronto Close onto Old Road. These gates will normally be open and only closed in the event of a flood.
The crest height of the embankments and walls is based on historic flood level and the structures will, at their highest, be around 1.5m above existing ground level, reducing the risk of flooding to properties within Toronto Close from flooding events like those experienced in 2007 and 2020.
Coun Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for the Environment, added:
“We’re delighted that works on this scheme are about to begin.
“Homes in Toronto Close have suffered with flooding in the past and these works will significantly reduce the impact in future which will benefit the residents.”
Work has begun by contractor Alun Griffiths after the scheme successfully secured planning permission in September.
