Worcester flood management scheme completed

The Environment Agency and Worcestershire County Council have completed a £2.5 million flood risk management scheme for Toronto Close in the Lower Wick area of Worcester.

The scheme is intended to reduce the risk of flooding to homes. The street has a history of flooding from the River Severn and River Teme. 16 properties flooded in July 2017 and further flooding happened in 2020.

The scheme includes 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.”

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.”