Latest stage of £20m flood defence work in Sandwell Valley revealed
Work is steadily continuing on a £20 million flood defence scheme in Sandwell.
The Environment Agency project aims to reduce the risk of flooding in Sandwell Valley and protect Forge Mill Farm in West Bromwich from damage, protecting more than 1,400 homes and businesses.
It had been in the works for more than three years before council bosses gave it the go ahead back in 2017.
Work has been ongoing for several months now, with the defences slowly taking shape.
Thousands of visitors each year visit the beauty spot and the farm near the RSPB lake, which neighbours the River Tame.
Chiefs have admitted the work will ‘have a significant visual impact’ on the surrounding area, but said its safety benefits outweigh the drawbacks.
They plan to expand defences in the Sandwell Valley including earth embankments where water can easily run off in the wake of inclement conditions. These areas will be created near the Forge Mill Farm.
Current embankments would be improved and river outlets will be created.
There would also be improved flood wall defences constructed near the farm itself.
Workers plan to build a low-level wall through Witton, combined with an increase in storage capacity at the existing Forge Mill flood storage area in Sandwell Valley.
The river rises in Willenhall and Oldbury and runs through Sandwell Valley, passing through Great Barr and Hamstead before going off to Perry Barr.
The agency has evaluated that the River Tame has a one per cent – 1 in 100 – or greater chance of flooding each year.
The proposed flood risk management scheme will cost more than £20m, and will be funded by Defra FCRM Grant in Aid, the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee, Birmingham City Council and contributions from local businesses. in the area.
