Information on Loughborough

Flood alleviation schemes benefit county residents

Posted on 26/02/2010

Leicestershire Councty Council

19 February 2010

Flood alleviation schemes benefit county residents

A series of schemes to alleviate flooding in towns and villages across Leicestershire has been completed.

Leicestershire County Council has been investing additional money into improving highway drainage schemes.  In 2008 areas were earmarked for work to increase their capacity, which would help to alleviate the risk of flooding.

Since that time, areas such as Blackfordby, Market Harborough and Burton Overy have benefited from improved drainage systems, directly reducing the risk of flooding to numerous businesses and residents.

In Syston, two new highway drains have been installed underneath High Street so that there is now reduced risk of flooding under the railway bridge. This helps to keep access to the shops and services in the town centre open.

Similarly, studies are in hand to determine better traffic management and flood warning signs around the Soar Valley region to reduce delays to local and through-traffic when flooding of the River Soar occurs.

Professor Mike Preston,  County Council Cabinet Member for Climate Action, said: “These flooding issues are with us now and need addressing.  Climate predictions indicate an increase of intense rainfall events so it is vital we endeavour to make sure our highway systems have the capacity to cope.

“Local authorities are best placed to deliver effective flood risk management and we will be pushing for further resources to be allocated to enable the continued work on key local flood relief projects.”

For information on climate change adaptations for highways, visit: www.leics.gov.uk/climate_change_adaptations.pdf

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Notes to editors:

•  Butt Lane, Blackfordby scheme completed in 2008/09 to alleviate flood risk to local properties, £80,000.

•  High Street Syston scheme completed November 2009 to alleviate flood risk restricting access to the town centre, £68,000.

•  A511 Flying Horse roundabout in Markfield, completed 2008/09 £50,000

•  Coventry Road, Market Harborough currently on site, estimated £70,000.

•  South Churchill Road, Cranoe completed 2008/09 £60,000

•  Village centre of Burton Overy completed 2008/09 £70,000