Winchester residents protected by new flood scheme

Residents and businesses will be “safer and protected” thanks to a new flood prevention scheme targeting vulnerable areas in Winchester.

The northern part of the city was severely hit by disastrous floods two year ago.

The work scheme, costing around £700,000, is a mixture of earth banks and low-level walls which are carefully designed to fit in to the city’s landscape.

It is currently built around the area of St Bede’s School and River Park Leisure.

This work scheme follows a successful funding bid to government.

It is delivered and funded in a partnership between Winchester City Council, Hampshire County Council, the Environment Agency and Southampton University.

Councillor Frank Pearson, Portfolio holder for Environment, Health and Wellbeing, said: “This area of the city suffered serious flooding in the storms nearly three years ago.

“The city council and its partners have worked tirelessly over the past couple of years to plan and secure funding for major schemes such as this one, which will offer significant protection to vulnerable areas should similar conditions soccer again.”

The city council is also advising people to buy their own sand and bags, pumps or arrange other installation measures such as flood boards to prevent flooding threats.