Work on a new £21 million flood defence scheme in Sheffield's Lower Don Valley is complete.

The project will benefit more than 500 businesses and safeguard around 5,000 jobs, key roads in and out of the city and homes along a five mile stretch of the River Don.

Features include new 'hard defences' along an 8km stretch of the river to raise flood defence levels, as well as new gravity walls, new flood gates and the fitting of more than 300 flap valves to pipes and openings which discharge to the river.

In addition, it is the first scheme of its kind in the UK to have business owners contributing to the costs of the flood protection through the creation of a formal Business Improvement District. The Environment Agency and Defra contributed £19.3m towards the scheme, with local businesses contributing the rest £1.4m.

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The development was officially opened on Thursday, 25 January. Chief Executive of the Environment Agency, Sir James Bevan, and the Leader of Sheffield City Council, Cllr Julie Dore, were among those at the event, also attended by local business owners, to mark the completion of the work.

Sir James Bevan said: "This fantastic scheme will not only benefit homes and businesses in the city but it will also safeguard thousands of jobs due to the increased level of protection it provides."

Floods Minister Thérèse Coffey said: "This partnership funding model showcases the way industry can work with Government to provide wider benefits to the community with local business investment in this project. The Sheffield Lower Don Valley scheme is protecting jobs, businesses and vital infrastructure which the whole city can be very proud of."

Cllr Julie Dore said: "I am delighted to see we have fulfilled our promise to strengthen our defences against floods. I would like to express my thanks to all the partners involved in creating flood protection that is fit for purpose.

"Our investment in this scheme means we are not only securing the future of existing businesses and homes but also making land more suitable for new homes and regeneration. This will create more jobs, investment and growth in the city."

(LM/MH)