THE latest work to reduce the risk of flooding in Willersey has been completed.

Following the completion of a project to install a new drainage culvert in the village in September, further improvements have been made.

This has involved the widening of a narrow section of watercourse to allow flood waters to flow downstream without the risk of debris being trapped and the water backing up.

The work was approved by the Environment Agency and financed and arranged by Cotswold District Council.

Volunteers from ‘Willersey Stream Team’ will monitor the work and remove erosion protection measures once the bank is stable.

CDC cabinet member for flood resilience Barry Gibbs said: “This is more good news for Willersey, and a great example of the excellent co-operation we get from the Stream Team.

“They have agreed to monitor the newly exposed bank, and they will even remove the erosion protection measures once the bank is stable. This alone has saved the council about £600, and we know that the volunteers will do a great job as usual.”

Stream Team leader Tim Prestage said: “It’s great to see how small improvements are making such a big difference. During the recent high rainfall on November 8 we noticed that the water was flowing freely through the newly widened section – this bodes very well for the future.”

The September project in Willersey was jointly funded by Gloucestershire Highways, Gloucestershire County Council and Cotswold District Council, and cost £18,000.

It involved removing a clay drainage pipe in Campden Lane and replacing it with a 18-inch culvert.

The new drainage channel follows a much straighter route and, along with the increase in culvert size, has improved the flow and capacity of the system.