Project launched to avert flooding in Herefordshire

Herefordshire Council leaders have launched a project that aims to protect rural communities from the risk of flooding using natural methods.

The Herefordshire Wye and Lugg Natural Flood Management project is one of 24 projects funded by DEFRA that aims to reduce flood risk to local communities, as well as well as improving water quality and enhancing biodiversity, using natural flood management processes.

Herefordshire Council are leading the project in partnership with the Environment Agency and other key delivery partners, including but not limited to, Severn Rivers Trust, Wye & Usk Foundation, Natural England, National Trust, National Farmers Union, Farm Herefordshire, Herefordshire Wildlife Trust and the Forestry Commission.

The project will include seven priority areas in the county, which experience both local flooding and water quality issues:

• Brimfield Brook (above Brimfield and Orleton)
• Cheaton / Cogwell / Ridgemoor Brook system (above Leominster and Frome)
• Tedstone Brook (above Bromyard)
• Dulas Brook (above Ewyas Harold)
• Pentaloe Brook (above Mordiford)
• The Red, Norton and Twyford Brook system (above Rotherwas, Hereford)
• The Bodenham and Millcroft Brooks (above Bodenham)

The project will kick off with its first community event which will focus on the Brimfield Brook catchment area. The meeting will take place on Wednesday 28 November from 6.30pm at Brimfield Village Hall.

Residents and landowners from the Brimfield Brook area are invited to come along to the event to talk to partners about their experiences of flooding, find out more about Natural Flood Management as well as how they can get involved in the project.

Councillor Philip Price, cabinet member for infrastructure said: “This project is an important step towards reducing flood risk and improving the natural environment for people and wildlife.

“We encourage residents, farmers, landowners and stakeholders with an interest in the Brimfield Brook area to come along to the first community event on the 28 November, to find out more about this project and how they can get involved with the scheme.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson added: “Working with our partners, natural flood management is an important part of what we do to help reduce the risk of flooding.

“This scheme is a good example of this and we will continue to use a variety of measures that work together to help reduce the flood risk in Herefordshire”

For more information about the project or the event on the 28 November, contact Beth Lewis on 01432 260739 or email Bethany.lewis@herefordshire.gov.uk