Construction work has started on the second phase of a £32 million flood alleviation project near Birmingham.

The scheme for Perry Barr and Witton will reduce the risk for 1,400 properties currently at risk of flooding from the River Tame, including 950 homes.

The project forms part of the Environment Agency's programme of £2.6 billion investment into flood defences across the country.

The second phase will provide additional flood storage at Forge Mill in Sandwell Valley, which is upstream of Perry Barr and Witton, and will control the flow of flood water downstream. Work in the Country Park will include new fencing for improved animal pens at Forge Mill Farm, extending it as a visitor attraction. There will also be improvements carried out to the entrance into the park for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders entering from the Old Newton Road. Main aspects of this phase include the building of the new embankment, installation of the river outlet and temporarily re-diverting the river.

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Works during the first stage involved improvements to the existing upstream flood storage area at Perry Hall Playing Fields along with improvement works in Perry Barr and Witton, including wall repairs and wall raising along Brookvale Road, construction of walls along Tame Road and installation of a flood gate at the Atlas Industrial Estate entrance.

Emma Howard Boyd, chair of the Environment Agency, said: "It's great to see first-hand work starting at Perry Barr and Witton – a fantastic scheme which not only proves the value of partnership working but which also promises to improve public spaces too. A keen cyclist myself, I'm pleased to see that as well as reducing flood risk the project will improve cycle paths and parkland in the area – a win-win for everyone."

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey said: "This excellent new scheme will better protect 1,400 more properties from flooding and will improve access to the wonderful Sandwell Valley Country Park for both local residents and tourists.

"With funding coming from the government, local councils, the Arts Council and crowd funders, this project is a great example of how by working together, we can help protect our communities and improve our environment."

Completion is scheduled for spring 2020.

(LM)