A project to protect homes at high-risk of flooding has begun, with barges arriving on site. 

Several barges used to desilt Highams Park Lake, off Charter Road, arrived on site on Monday as they start a seven-week long excavation operation to clean the lake. 

The City of London Corporation, which owns the land, was told it must carry out the flood defence works by the Enviroment Agency after it was revealed the former dam would not protect homes from severe flooding in extreme weather. 

Up to 5,000 cubic metres of silt will be removed from the beauty spot every day by to up 20 lorries. 

The corporation has apologised for the inconvenience and the unpleasant smell as a result of dredging. 

Public access to the lake is permitted, but walkers are being re-directed and the historic boathouse has been temporarily converted into a construction workhouse. 

The £1.8million scheme involves reinforcing the existing dam by embedding a textile underneath the soil and grass behind a footpath which will contain overflow and prevent erosion. 

The foundations for the 1.1m high floodwall around the boathouse was excavated last week with workers laying the concrete on Friday. 

Works are due to be completed next year.