The Environment Agency’s £30 million project to improve the town’s flood defences are right on schedule.

The improved defences, due to be complete in March 2021, will better protect the people of Burton from the risk of flooding, of the likes we saw very recently.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said:

We’re proud to be delivering better flood protection for the people of Burton. The recent high river levels are a timely reminder of why this work to protect 4,500 homes and over 1,000 businesses from flooding is essential.

From the rain the other week, we saw The Washlands flooded, with water coming up to the flood defences. Without the existing defences, parts of the town would have flooded, we last saw levels like this in 2000, 2007 and 2012.

The work of the Environment Agency, and their contractors Galliford Try/Black & Veatch, will improve 3.7km of the 9km existing defences, and continues the work carried out in 2007 when other parts of the defences were improved.

Work has started at Blackpool Street and at Paget High School, with work due to start at the library and leisure centre in coming weeks.

Preparatory work has already started on these locations. We are working closely with the local community and we are working hard to minimise the impacts of our construction.

The spokesperson added:

As well as having flood defences, we’re also urging people to know their flood risk and sign up for alerts and warnings so everyone can be prepared when the risk of flooding is high,” said the spokesperson for the Environment Agency.

People can check their risk and register to receive free flood warnings online or calling Floodline on 0345 988 1188.

For information about the scheme please contact email: Burton.FRMS@environment-agency.gov.uk