Gloucestershire County Council has joined forces with Tewkesbury Borough Council and the Environment Agency to help with flood alleviation work.
The ditches and watercourses around Tewkesbury help to make sure the town is resilient to flooding.
Keeping watercourses clear can help to make sure that the drainage systems built on natural land can work efficiently.
Removing overgrowth and blockages from watercourses and ditches can help water flow freely and can help reduce the risk of flooding for residents and businesses.
This winter, health Tewkesbury Borough Council will be leading on improvements to watercourses around the town thanks to £10, ask 000 of funding from Gloucestershire County Council, case and further funding contributed by the Environment Agency.
The two councils and the Environment Agency have a good track record of working together in the area to reduce the risk of flooding. Watercourse maintenance is one of the ways they work in partnership to make the most of the resources available.
Cllr Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood at Gloucestershire County Council said, “In Tewkesbury our local agencies have great experience of working together and our efforts continue with this project as we do all we can to protect the town from future flooding.
“We’re making sure that the natural water management system can cope with peak flows and while we’re doing what we can, I also encourage land owners to do their bit too and keep watercourses clear if they cross their land.”
Jim Mason, Lead Member for Clean and Green Environment at Tewkesbury Borough Council said, “We’re very pleased to be involved in this project. Flood alleviation is one of the priorities for Tewkesbury Borough Council and this, alongside a number of the other projects across the borough, is a great example of how different partners can come together to achieve the same goals.”
Phillip Awford, Regional Flood and Coastal Committee member for Gloucestershire said, “Clearing watercourses is vital to reduce flood risk and protect homes and businesses from the trauma that flooding brings. We all need to work together to resolve the local problems without moving the risk on to others.”
The extensive clearing work is taking place on watercourses and ditches throughout Tewkesbury borough, including the main river.