The Environment Agency is progressing with its plans for the proposed £8.5 million Marlow flood alleviation scheme.

The Agency is holding a public information session on Thursday 8 September 2016 for the local community to find out more about the Marlow flood alleviation scheme and the advanced works that will be starting in September 2016.

David Bedlington, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for the Environment Agency said:

“I am delighted that the advanced works for the flood defences in Marlow are able to start this year. One flood wall will replace timber fences with a permanent and impermeable wall, along the boundaries of 2 residential properties. The second flood wall will prevent the River Thames from backing up along the highway ditch near the A404. These walls are part of the preparation for the main scheme which is expected to start construction in spring 2017.”

The advanced works will consist of building 2 flood walls between 1.5 metres and 2 metres in height, and made from concrete with a brick finish. One will be adjacent to the towpath between Gossmore recreation ground and Pergola field. The other will be on the highway ditch at the rear of Firview Close.

The advanced works will be complete by the end of December 2016. The towpath between Gossmore recreation ground and Pergola field will be closed for the duration of the works.

The advanced works will allow the Environment Agency to effectively use temporary defence barriers to reduce the risk of flooding to Marlow, until the main scheme is completed. Due to reduced space and access constraints, temporary barriers could not be placed in the two locations of the advanced works.

The Environment Agency is able to deploy temporary defence barriers across England, when and where there is an identified risk of property flooding. Eventually, the advanced works will form part of the main Marlow flood alleviation scheme.

Main construction of scheme to begin in spring 2017

The Agency is continuing to progress plans to build the main Marlow flood alleviation scheme. Work is continuing on:

• ecological surveys which will continue into the autumn of 2016
• finalising the existing design
• discussing land use with landowners

The Environment Agency expects the main construction of the scheme to begin in spring 2017, subject to all legal and land requirements being finalised.

The Marlow flood alleviation scheme will reduce flood risk to 287 properties in Marlow from a combination of fluvial (river) and groundwater flooding.

The severe weather of Winter 2013/14, left parts of Marlow under several feet of flood water - Karen Fisher, Buckinghamshire County Council's Lead Flood Officer, said Marlow suffered on three fronts during bad storms: accumulated rainwater, overflow from the rising Thames level and a rising water table.

A consortium of councils and the Environment Agency worked together to find funding for the project. Buckinghamshire County Council has given £1.25 million, while the Government is contributing £3.25 million and Marlow Town Council £60,000. The remaining £4 million has come from the Thames Regional Flood and Coastal Committee Local Levy, a £10.5 million fund supported by councils in the Thames Valley.