Work to start on estate's £2.5m flood defence scheme

A £2.5m flood defence project should protect residents in a city in the future but work cannot start until current high river levels fall, the Environment Agency said.

The work will see a 255m-long (279 yds) embankment along a brook and through gardens on Toronto Close, Worcester.

The estate was badly hit by flooding in 2007 and 2020 when homes were flooded and residents were evacuated.

"I can't put into words how delighted I am," resident Ray Grundy said.

The homes have been susceptible to repeat flooding as they are close to the Laughern Brook which meets the River Teme nearby.

Janet Horton has lived on the close for several years and said in 2007, the flood-waters came through her garden and into homes.

"We couldn't get out of the house for three or four days," she said.

"I'm always worried now because it seems to be happening more regularly.

"I've spent many a night up all night just watching the water in case it comes over the top of the garden."

The work, which will also include repairs to an historic wall and two floodgates, will take about 40 weeks.

While they have to wait for current water levels to fall after recent heavy rain, Marc Lidderth, from the Environment Agency, said it would benefit residents.

"The scheme here at Toronto Close is complex, very complicated, we have to find the right scheme, the right build," he added.

The projects costs have nearly tripled due to rising prices through inflation but a funding gap was filled with £1.5m from the government, the agency said.

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