Work is to begin on a £4 million flood alleviation scheme in Worcestershire this summer.

The Badsey Brook flood project will see a large flood storage area built in Broadway to reduce the risk of flooding to nearly 300 homes and businesses in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot.

The facility will be able to hold up to 135,000 cubic metres of water no an 18-acre field during times of flooding and only a set amount of water to flow downstream at times of intense and high rainfall. This will reduce flood risk along the Badsey Brook downstream of Broadway.

The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County Council, Wychavon District Council, Broadway Parish Council and Childswickham Parish Council have been working in partnership and have now secured over £2m Government Grant in Aid funding, enabling construction to begin.

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In addition, the Environment Agency's English Severn and Wye Regional Flood and Coastal Committee have also contributed over £1m. To enable access to the Government Grant in Aid funding under Defra's Flood Partnership Funding Model, Worcestershire County Council and Wychavon District Council are contributing £555,000 and the local parishes have raised £312,000.

Specialist contractors are currently on site carrying out tree clearance in preparation for main construction works.

Daniel Wilkinson, from the Environment Agency, said: "Flooding has a devastating impact on people's lives and livelihoods, so it's great that by working together with our partners we have managed to find a solution which means we are now one step closer to reducing the risk of flooding for residents living in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot."

Worcestershire Cllr Anthony Blagg added: "Now that the archaeological work is nearing completion, this project can move on to the next stage and closer to protecting homes and businesses with this innovative flood alleviation scheme."

(LM/MH)