New flood defence protects 16,000 homes

Flood defence in Nottingham Credit: Environment Agency

A new flood defence scheme is being opened in Nottingham today. It will protect more inland properties than any other in England.

The £45 million defence stretches nearly 17 miles along the River Trent, from Sawley to Colwick.

Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson will open the scheme this morning.

16,000 homes as well as businesses, roads and factories will be protected by the new defence which has been funded by Defra.

The Environment Agency, Nottingham City Council and Natural England have all worked together to produce it.

Flood defence wall in Nottingham Credit: Environment Agency

The defences cover the following areas:

  • Sawley and Trent Meadows - the defences reduce the flood risk to large areas of Long Eaton.

  • Beeston and Rylands - the flood wall was raised about 700m.

  • Attenborough - the work created 2.5km of new flood wall between the Attenborough Nature Reserve and the railway line.

  • Meadows - the defences extend through the Victoria Embankment Park for a length of about 1.8km.

  • Colwick - about 2.5km of defences have been raised and strengthened including both embankments and flood walls.