The official launch of the Cannington Flood Defense Scheme in Somerset, which reduces flood risk to 200 homes, took place on Wednesday, September 27.
This is the first project to be delivered through the Somerset Design and Build Package by Team Van Oord (a joint venture of Kier Group Mackley Van Oord and Royal HaskoningDHV), working closely with the Environment Agency and other partners.
A key message from Emma Howard Boyd, Chair of the Environment Agency, was the need to raise awareness within communities of the residual risk of flooding.
To avoid a repeat of more than 40 homes and businesses flooded twice in November 2012, a new flood alleviation channel has been created after the old brook, built in 1984, was deemed unfit to cope with present and future flood flows.