The Environment Agency has commenced work, in collaboration with Worcestershire County Council, on a new £2.5 million flood-risk management scheme to help better protect homes in Toronto Close in the Lower Wick area of Worcester from flooding.

Toronto Close has a history of flooding from the River Severn and River Teme, which impacts the water level of the nearby Laughern Brook during and after heavy rainfall.

In July 2007, 16 properties flooded, with the depth of water reaching up to 800mm. Further flooding took place in 2020 during Storm Dennis, when many residents had to evacuate their homes.

Charles Chandler, area flood-risk manager for the Environment Agency, said: "We know the devastating impact that flooding can have, and, sadly, has been experienced first-hand by some residents of Toronto Close. We are very pleased to be starting work on this flood risk management scheme for the road to better protect homes from flooding."

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Councillor Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for the environment, added: "We're delighted that work on this scheme is about to begin. Homes in Toronto Close have suffered with flooding in the past and this work will significantly reduce the impact in future, and benefit the residents."

The scheme starts in open ground to the west of Toronto Close and ties into high ground at Teme Court. It is approximately 255m long and consists of an embankment across open land and through residential gardens along Laughern Brook as well as the strengthening and rebuilding of the existing historic wall along Old Road.

Two flood gates will also be installed in front of existing accesses from Toronto Close onto Old Road. These gates will normally be open, and only closed in the event of a flood.

The crest height of the embankments and walls is based on historic flood level and the structures will, at their highest, be around 1.5m above existing ground level, reducing the risk of flooding to properties within Toronto Close from flooding like that experienced in 2007 and 2020.