04/01/2006 - Preparatory work on the Environment Agency’s West Bridgford flood defences begins during January and February 2006. The site along the line of the existing defence will be cleared, ready for improvements that will help protect over 5,500 West Bridgford homes and businesses from flooding. This work will involve the removal of some trees and hedges. Projects Team Manager, John Hindle, says: "We are committed to reducing flood risk for people living and working in West Bridgford. Preparatory work on this defence, which will help protect over 5,500 local homes and businesses, begins this month and we expect the construction phase to start this April.

"Before we can start the building work we need to clear the site and, sadly, this means removing some trees and hedges. We will carry out this work before the nesting season to make sure we do not disturb birds and wildlife. When work on the defence is finished, we will plant even more trees and shrubs to make the riverside environment a better place for people and wildlife."

The scheme will involve works to 3.2km of existing flood defences including:

raising and realigning flood embankments

replacing, raising and constructing new flood walls.

We have consulted our statutory and non-statutory consultees to ensure the scheme makes the best use of public funds and delivers a solution that is environmentally and socially acceptable.

We will contact members of the community and organisations directly affected by our works so that we can explain what they can expect when the works start. In addition, we are holding two public exhibitions where people can come to see the plans, and ask questions:

Saturday 14th January - Farmers Market, Central Avenue, West Bridgford, 10.00am to 3.00pm

Saturday 21st January - Rivermead Flats, Wilford Lane, West Bridgford, 10.00am to 3.00pm