Good progress on Burton’s £30 million flood defences

11 Nov 2020 03:19 PM

A further section of the £30 million Burton-upon-Trent flood defence project has been opened to the public by the Environment Agency.

Members of the public are now able to access the embankment between the Riverside Hotel and the edge of the golf course. The path through Toad Hole Nature Reserve has also been reopened.

It is hoped to open the remainder of the section near the golf course by the end of the year.

The whole project, which started in June 2019, is scheduled to finish next spring and will improve flood defences for over 4,500 homes and 1,000 businesses.

Construction work is continuing throughout the latest national lockdown with Environment Agency staff and contractors following government guidelines.

William Groves, senior flood advisor for the Environment Agency, said:

The work on this important infrastructure for the town is progressing very well.

We will be opening further sections as they are completed to minimise the inconvenience to members of the public.

With the onset of winter weather in recent weeks, we are also urging people to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation at this link https://www.gov.uk/check-if-youre-at-risk-of-flooding or follow @EnvAgencyMids.

The Environment Agency has adopted COVID-19-safe ways of working in helping to protect people from flooding and are calling for people to be prepared this winter.

Simple steps should be taken, such as checking if you live in an area at high risk of flooding, preparing a bag with medication and important documents and moving valuable and sentimental items upstairs or to a safe place.

Know your risk:

Notes to Editor