Floods scheme set for opening (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Floods scheme set for opening

A NEW £850,000 flood alleviation scheme designed to protect homes in North Littleton will be officially opened by Vale MP Peter Luff tomorrow.

The North Littleton Flood Alleviation Scheme will protect 74 properties in the village from a one in 100 year flood event on the Littleton Brook.

The work has involved replacing two road bridges, a footbridge and a farm bridge. The new bridges are wider than the previous ones, so in the event of a flood will allow more water to travel faster through the village, ultimately reducing the risk of flooding to homes.

The opening ceremony is due to take place on the South Road bridge in School Lane, Little Middleton, at 11am tomorrow.

The ceremony will incorporate presentations from the Environment Agency on the history of flooding in the area and a presentation by a resident on what the scheme means for the village.

Anthony Perry, the Environment Agency flood risk manager will also make a presentation to the children of Littleton CofE Primary School.

Malcolm Lythgo, Environment Agency area manager for Lower Severn, said: "This is a fantastic scheme that really will change people's lives on Westside and Eastside in North Littleton.

"Around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales.

"The Environment Agency has an important role in reducing the likelihood of flooding from rivers and the sea.

"The North Littleton Flood Alleviation Scheme is just one example of this."

l A one in 100 year flood has only a one per cent chance of happening in any year but its effects can be enormous.