Work begins on flood risk management scheme

Perry Barr and Witton project commences Phase I.

The Perry Barr and Witton Flood Risk Management Scheme has now begun its first phase of construction works which will help to protect over 1,400 properties from the risk of flooding.

With the support of Birmingham Council, the Environmental Agency is working to repair existing defences and construct new walls. These walls will run alongside Atlas Industrial Estate and behind the warehouses along Tame Road.

Phase I also involves the removal of a redundant sewer crossing the River Tame at Walker Drive, along with preventing water flowing underneath the railway line between Electric Avenue and the A38.

Phase II is set to increase the capacity of the existing flood storage reservoir at Forge Mill Lake in the Sandwell Valley. Designs are expected to include new embankment and floodgate construction in order to manage water flow. The planning application is due to be submitted late 2016, with Phase Two construction to begin in early 2017.

The £28M scheme will help reduce the risk of flooding to over 1,400 properties, 950 of these being homes.

The area experienced the effects of flooding less than a decade ago, when in 2007 the river flooded over the top of the current wall. This resulted in the temporary closure of many local shops and businesses.

The local community is working with MADE, an organisation dedicated to improving the quality of villages, towns and cities, in an effort to create an aesthetically pleasing flood-defence.

The Environment Agency has supported MADE as it seeks out artists to incorporate local history into wall designs. The initiative, entitled ‘Tamed’, is using pledges from local businesses and the public in an attempt to raise £50,000 to fund the artwork and community space.

Rachel Kelly, Project Manager said: “We’re really pleased that works have now begun. As well as helping to reduce flood risk, we hope these defences will be an integral part of the community.”

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