New flood risk management scheme for Worcester completed

The Environment Agency, in collaboration with Worcestershire County Council, has completed a £2.5 million flood risk management scheme for Toronto Close in the Lower Wick area of Worcester to reduce the risk of flooding to homes.

Toronto Close has a history of flooding from the River Severn and River Teme, which impacts the water level of the nearby Laughern Brook during and after heavy rainfall.

In July 2007 16 properties flooded, 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.

The scheme consists of an embankment across open land and through residential gardens along Laughern Brook as well as the strengthening and rebuilding of the existing historic wall along Old Road.

Two flood gates have been 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.

Area Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency Charlie Chander said:

"We know how devastating flooding can be and the terrible disruption flooding has caused to residents in Toronto Close in the past. We are delighted to have been able to deliver this flood risk management scheme that will help to reduce the risk of flooding to Toronto Close and hopefully help to give residents more peace of mind."

The new scheme has been welcomed by Toronto Close residents who have experienced the devastation of flooding in the past.

Ray Grundy has lived in the street with his wife since 1980 and for the first 27 years they didn't experience flooding. It was in July 2007 when flooding hit, following a wet summer and saturated ground led to flood water rising from the Laughern Brook and River Teme and some residents needing to be evacuated.

Ray Grundy said:

"It had been very wet all through June and then we had more than 24 hours of solid rain and the water kept rising. Our house is slightly higher than some others in the street so fortunately we didn't flood inside but we've had water coming up to the house. It was much worse for neighbours who had catastrophic floods inside and had the devastation of having to move out and stay in temporary accommodation away from the close while their homes were refurbished."

Another flood hit the road in 2020 leading to further evacuations and more disruption for residents. Ray said the completed scheme has given the residents of Toronto Close peace of mind.

He said: "It means for the first time we can now go away on holiday during the winter and not have to worry if we are going to flood. Everyone is feeling more relaxed."

Councillor Emma Stokes, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment said:

"This area has seen some devastating floods in recent years and I'm very pleased that this flood management scheme is now in place. Flooding has had a huge impact on people living in the area and this scheme will reduce the risk of flooding in the future. I'd like to thank everyone involved in making this a reality, in particular Councillor Alan Amos, who has strongly supported the scheme from day one."

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 like that experienced in 2007 and 2020.

Make sure you know your flood risk by going the GOV.UK website or search 'know my flood risk' to sign up for Environment Agency flood warnings, receive information on the risk in your area and what to do in a flood: https://check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk/.