Warning cameras for flooding blackspots across Black Country

Campaigners living in Halesowen were among those to suffer problems after Illey Brook flooded seven years ago sending water into 46 homes.

CCTV cameras and hi-tech sensors were positioned at the brook by the Environment Agency last year to monitor water levels and alert residents at risk of flooding through an automated phone call.

People can follow the camera observations on Twitter by viewing photos and alerts.

Now, there are cameras at seven sites throughout the West Midlands, including ones in Willenhall and Darlaston.

The high-tech flood warning cameras have now been installed to monitor Darlaston Brook, in Darlaston, and Tame Tunnel in the West Acre area of Willenhall.

Alert systems are also in place for Dawley Brook, in Kingswinford, and Mousesweet Brook at Mushroom Green, near Netherton.

The camera system, which is entirely solar powered, will monitor seven watercourses across the county to help make sure that local residents are alerted if their properties are at risk of flooding.

Residents who sign up to the Environment Agency's flood warning service will receive an automated call, and those who follow the camera via Twitter will receive alerts and photos when the water levels rise significantly.

Floor water gushed into homes in Honeybourne Road from Illey Brook in 2008 after the adjourning River Stour was overwhelmed by heavy rainfall.

Darlaston South Councillor Paul Bott welcomed the scheme.

He said: "Anything that helps to prevent flooding has to be a good thing.

"People who have had their homes flooded in the past sometimes have trouble getting insurance on their properties again.

"It is a great idea that people can get alerts about flooding.

Halesowen South Councillor David Vickers said he was delighted that the scheme would provide reassurance to people living near the brook.

"The cameras in place are incredibly useful as they will save a lot of time, effort and prevent people being obliged to check for floods, potentially on a daily basis," he said.

"I hope to see them implemented all over the country at some stage.

"They give you early warning and are a fantastic source of flood prevention."

Environment Agency project manager, Jamie Sarginson said: "There's a history of severe flooding in places such as Halesowen on the Illey Brook when 46 properties flooded.

"Since then the Environment Agency has been working closely with partners and communities to investigate ways to make them more flood resilient – and this new camera goes a long way to achieving that goal.

"The cameras have a high water sensor which will enable us to alert residents as river levels rise.

"If the correct settings are added to the individuals' Twitter account, then they will be able to hear an alert when images or alarms are tweeted from the camera's Twitter account.

"We hope it makes a real difference for those potentially at risk of flooding so they can be better prepared."

People can view the cameras at www.vision-link.co.uk/community-home.php