The works will be carried out between Branston and Clay Mills and will involve raising and strengthening some of the existing flood defences through the town centre. Key areas include Green Street, Memorial Gardens and Wetmore Road. It will also involve the construction of new defences at the Riverside Hotel and Abbey Inn.

We consider the environmental impact of all our construction works and seek ways to improve the environment wherever possible. We have undertaken an Environmental Impact Assessment to identify the potential issues associated with the project.

As part of this process we have considered disruption to local people, including both those who live and work in the area and those who use the area for recreation. We have also considered the impact of the works on habitats and species, archaeology and the local landscape. The results of this assessment, along with ways that we propose to minimise the impacts are published in the Environmental Report.

Copies of the Environmental Report can be viewed at the following addresses between 5 December 2005 and the 9 January 2006:

Environment Agency, Fradley Park, Sentinel House, Lichfield, Staffordshire, WS13 8RR, t: 08708 506506, between the hours of 10am and 4pm, Mon – Fri

East Staffordshire Borough Council Planning Department, Midland Grain Warehouse, Derby Street, Burton upon Trent, DE14 2JJ. Opening hours: 8.45am to 5pm, Mon – Fri

Burton Library, Riverside, Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1AH. Opening hours:10am to 6.00pm Mon – Sat

The formal consultation period is until 9 January 2006. During this time we will review all comments received and incorporate relevant changes into the designs and the Environmental Action Plan (EAP) The EAP will identify how we will minimise the impact of the scheme on the environment.

As part of the consultation process we will continue to consult with landowners, residents and interested parties regarding options, mitigation and enhancements. We intend to be on site in January 2006.

People can download the full report and a summary of the report from our web site at: www.environment agency.gov.uk/regions/midlands/567079/567090/893833/894284/1039114/

Anyone wanting to comment on the Environmental Report can send them to the address below, by Monday 9 January 2006:

Cheryl Field, National Environmental Assessment Service, Environment Agency, Olton Court, 10 Warwick Road, Olton, Solihull, West Midlands, B92 7HX t: 0121 708 4635.

More information:

The objectives of the Burton-upon-Trent project are to:

reduce flood risk and improve quality of life for people living and working in Burton upon Trent.

protect and enhance the existing environment including biodiversity, amenity and the recreation value of the river corridor.

protect and enhance the built environment through sensitive landscape-design and consideration of heritage assets.

take account of the views of the local community and organisations.

encourage sustainable use of resources throughout the life of the project.

The following work is proposed:

new defence embankment/wall at Riverside Hotel

new embankment at Upper Mills Farm Causeway

raising of existing wall at Thurco Engineering

new defence wall at Green Street

new defence wall at Abbey Inn

wall construction at Wetmore Road

new defence at Wetmore Hall Farm

embankment raising at sewage treatment works

The town is currently defended by a mixture of embankments and walls. The embankments are generally at the upper and lower part of the study area, with the walls through the town centre. The river is approximately 10m to 15m wide. In the centre of the town it flows through an area known as the Ox Hay pleasure grounds. The recreation area contains a number of footpaths and is popular for walking, jogging and picnicking.

A number of more formal recreational activities also take place throughout the study area. There is a golf course and cricket club at Branston and cricket pitches and playing fields at Wetmore. The river is a coarse fishery and angling is popular along stretches of the river. Canoeists and rowing groups also use the river throughout the year.

The area lying between St Peter’s Bridge and Burton Bridge has been designated as a Conservation Area due to its cultural significance. There are a number of listed buildings and archaeological features within this area. The most important is the Scheduled Ancient Monument, Burton Abbey.

No sites within the study area receive statutory protection for nature conservation, however, there are some Biodiversity Action Plan species and habitats present within the study area.

We have also identified the following enhancements that will be pursued as part of this project depending on discussions with East Staffordshire Borough Council and the relevant landowners:

the provision of a number of footpath improvements as outlined in the landscape plan. This will be done in partnership with the local authority.

the installation of permanent angling pegs at Bass Meadows.

creation of a juvenile-fish refuge where a brook enters the River Trent adjacent to the Riverside Hotel.

small-scale copse and hedgerow planting throughout the study area.

provision of bat and bird boxes throughout the study area.

redesign of the townscape at Green Street to improve the visual amenity, including the provision of new planting and seating areas

provision of interpretation boards.

creation of new wetland scrapes and wet woodland copses in the area of Upper Mills Farm in partnership with the local authority.

the improvement of the habitat adjacent to the sewage treatment plant