1:52pm Monday 4th June 2007
By David Jackman
THE go-ahead has been given for a flood alleviation scheme for Waltham Abbey, seven years after 132 properties in the town were flooded when Cobbins Brook burst its banks.
But it could be more than a year before work gets underway.
Following the heavy storm in 2000 the Environment Agency joined forces with Epping Forest District Council to design a scheme to reduce the threat of flooding to homes and businesses in the area.
The Cobbins Brook Flood Alleviation Scheme was given the go-ahead with funding from the Thames Regional Flood Defence Committee - made up of representatives from local authorities and the Environment Agency.
The Environment Agency will build a flood storage area near Upshire, which will naturally flood in times of heavy rain, reducing the threat of flooding to 314 properties from a 20 per cent chance of flooding to just two per cent each year.
The scheme will also create valuable wetland habitat.
Project manager Valerie Stephens said: "The support of the Thames Regional Flood Defence Committee is great news for the residents of Waltham Abbey. The committee's funding will be essential to enable the scheme to be constructed.
"Living in the floodplain is never without risk, however where possible we will push for schemes that increase the protection to homes and businesses and improve the environment for all.
"The next step is to secure the land needed for the scheme and we hope to complete this by March 2008. We are pleased to have had the co-operation of local landowners and farmers in developing the scheme so far and look forward to their continued assistance."
The main areas of Waltham Abbey that will benefit from the scheme are Broomstick Hall Road, Eastbrook Road, Rounton Road, Honey Lane and Rochford Avenue, as well as King Harold School, the local road network and M25.
Planning permission has been granted for the scheme which should be built between the winter of 2008 until 2009 subject to land acquisition negotiations and processes.
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