A multi-million pound flood defence scheme in North Swindon has been officially unveiled.
The Haydon Wick Flood Alleviation Scheme has been designed to protect surrounding homes after many were flooded during heavy rains in 2007. More than £6m was spent on the scheme which will protect 118 houses, four businesses and electricity sub-station from heavy rain storms.
Work has been taking place over the last 18 months, which has involved laying 4km of sheeting, rebuilding five footbridges and replacing hundreds of trees and thousands of plants.
Justin Tomlinson MP said: "As a local resident myself and a former borough councillor I know just what a huge project this is. It has cost £6.6m and needed 18 months of heavy construction but has transformed the area from being able to cope with a one in every five year flood to a one in every 100 year flood. One of the main driving forces behind getting the project off the ground was late former mayor Rex Barnett, who along with other councillors pushed to secure the funding needed It’s really sad that Rex was not here to see this project completed. Rex always had a smile on his face, except on this issue, and it was his drive that made this happen".
Yvonne McCracken, of Coriander Way, said: "I’m so pleased this has been built, I’m now hoping it does the job. I’ve not been hit but my neighbour has been flooded five times. The work they have done looks fabulous and the Environment Agency were great throughout the building. They had to do work in some peoples’ gardens and they have done a really good job replacing everything".
The original text of this Swindon Advertiser article can be found here
A complete set of photographs of the Haydon Wick Flood Alleviation Scheme can be found here
