The government is bringing forward more than £8 million of the six-year flood defense program announced in December to better protect more than 3,000 homes from flooding sooner than planned in the West Midlands.
Four brand new schemes have been given the green light as part of the long-term investment program and work will start on another 25 flood defense projects earlier than previously announced.
Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said: “ Work will begin on 25 flood defense projects sooner than originally planned. This is another example of infrastructure funded by the UK Government as part of our long-term economic plan.”
Key projects across the West Midlands include:
– The River Bourn Flood Alleviation Scheme has been brought forward by five years. It will help to protect against the risk of flooding from the River Rea to around 370 homes;
– The scheme at St John’s Brook in Warwick has been brought forward by 4 years and will protect more than 350 households in the area;
– The Marchington Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme – which is new into the program – will provide improved protection to around 30 homes from flooding from the River Dove and will start development in 2016/17.