WORK on a major £1.2million scheme to reduce the impact of flooding in Worcester has begun.
Improvement work to raise almost 200 metres of New Road and the footpaths outside the cricket ground by nearly 400mm to reduce the risk of flooding closing the road began on Monday.
As part of the work, traffic lights at the city end of New Road will be improved during the three month revamp.
County transport chiefs have revealed the work will enable New Road to be converted to take two-way traffic in and out of the city in the event of other roads flooding.
Once the works are completed, the likelihood of New Road being closed to flooding will be significantly reduced, whilst also helping to ensure that flood water recedes much quicker than it currently does.
The project itself has been endorsed by the Environment Agency and the project development and planning process.
The majority of the funding for the project is coming from Government Local Growth funding via Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), reinforcing the importance of keeping Worcester ‘Open for Business’ during times of severe flooding.
Coun Tony Miller, cabinet member for the Environment, said: “This scheme will help to keep Worcestershire moving during periods of severe flooding, allowing residents and businesses to function as normally as possible.
“The floods in 2007 and 2014 had such a huge impact on the city that we needed to review our flood alleviation strategies.
“These works on New Road are part of our ongoing works, across the county, to reduce the impact of future flooding to residents and businesses.”
The scheme has provoked criticism with a former Mayor of Worcester Coun Pat Agar branding the proposals ‘pretty ugly’ while the decision to fell some of the avenue of trees has provoked anger.
“The works do mean the loss of seven trees and we are aware of some residents’ concerns over this,” said Coun Miller.
“However, 50 trees will remain along New Road and the look and feel of the road, no matter which way you approach the bridge, will continue to be very much the same as now.
“We will be planting 13 new trees in nearby Cripplegate Park to compensate for the removal of the seven trees.”
Gary Woodman, chief executive of Worcestershire LEP, said: “We are well aware of the financial impact that flooding has had for many businesses across the county in previous years.
“The financial impacts of the 2007 and 2014 floods were significant with the national media creating the impression that Worcester was closed for business.
“Our investment into flood alleviation projects is therefore vital to the economic vibrancy of the county.”
