The following was issued recently by Essex County Council and might be of local interest:

Reducing the impact of flooding

A recent Scrutiny report has highlighted how the threat of flooding is being alleviated as home and landowners are made aware of their responsibilities for maintaining ponds, ditch and drain clearance on their private land.  Over the past year new policies and procedures have been introduced to be used where enforcement action becomes necessary. The report also commended the work that has been done to build more effective partnerships between the County Council, other local authorities, public agencies and voluntary groups in Essex.

Part of Essex County Council’s flood alleviation scheme includes a new capital programme introduced in April 2015, to deliver localised flood prevention. Seven schemes are currently in delivery and a further four will be delivered next year. Work has just started to alleviate a flooding issue on the recreational ground by Church End Lane, Runwell.

Essex County Council’s new grant for Property Level Protection is proving very popular with 50 homes due to be protected by the end of March and a further 60 planned from April onwards.

A copy of the Scrutiny Report can be found here.  To find out more about how to report flooding issues in Essex or to find out more about the threat of flooding please visit www.essex.gov.uk/flooding.