Official opening of Fazeley flood risk management scheme

8 Sep 2014 10:47 AM

The Environment Agency, with the support of Christopher Pincher MP, has officially opened the Fazeley section of the Lower Tame flood scheme. 

Last week (5 September 2014) the Environment Agency, with the support of Christopher Pincher MP, has officially opened the Fazeley section of the Lower Tame flood scheme. This work has reduced the risk of flooding to 250 properties in the area.

Construction of the £3.5million Fazeley section of the scheme began in June 2013 and was completed in August 2014. The works include new flood banks at Mayfair Drive as well as new flood walls along New Mill Lane, Coton Green Football Club, Brook End and parts of Coleshill Road. The work has also involved raising the existing flood bank on Brook End and the Environment Agency has worked with Staffordshire County Council to reduce surface water flooding on Brook End and Coleshill Road.

The Fazeley section is one of the 4 sections that make up the Lower Tame flood risk management scheme. The others are in Coton, Kingsbury and Whitacre Heath, with a total scheme cost of £11million. There were over 2,000 residential properties at risk from flooding in these areas from the River Tame before works began.

Beverley Brown, Project Manager said:

We’re pleased to officially open the second section of the flood risk management scheme today. There has been a huge amount of work done to get us to this point and I’d like to thank everyone who’s been involved with the project.

Christopher Pincher, MP for Tamworth, opened the flood scheme and said:

I’m delighted to have been invited along today to open the Fazeley section of the flood scheme.

In 2007, many houses in Fazeley were flooded from the River Tame and the new flood defences will go a long way to ensure that doesn’t happen again.

Also present at the ceremony were members of the project team and local residents.

For further information about the Lower Tame flood scheme visit Lower Tame flood risk management strategy.

Photographs of the Lower Tame scheme are on Flickr.

ENDS

Notes to editor:

Facts and figures

• Floods can damage or destroy your home and business
• The Environment Agency issues free flood warnings – sign up now
• Follow the Environment Agency on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest information and be more #floodaware
• Every £1 the Environment Agency invests on protecting communities saves £8 in damage repair
• The Environment Agency can’t do this alone. It has to work in partnership with councils, businesses, communities and others to reduce the risk of flooding and create a better place for people and wildlife
• Investments in flood and coastal defences protect businesses and jobs and create confidence for future sustainable business investment
• People should be prepared. Check your flood risk and get early flood warnings; call the Environment Agency’s 24-hour Floodline on 0345 988 1188 or 0845 988 1188
• The Environment Agency urges people to stay safe and not drive through flood water. People can also keep up to date on social media @envagency, #floodaware

Recent flood events: The most recent flood event occurred in 2007, when 150 properties and the Coleshill Road were flooded.