Ross flood alleviation scheme protecting town

The multi-million pound flood alleviation scheme for Ross is now fully operational and protecting the town from flooding.

Work started in September 2007 and the scheme includes a 2.1m diameter bypass tunnel, an earth bund to create a flood storage area, two bridges, 150m of precast concrete culvert and general watercourse improvements.

The project was funded by the Environment Agency and Herefordshire Council commissioned the design and procured the construction work.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, Herefordshire Council’s cabinet member for highways and transportation, said: “I am delighted this much-needed scheme is now complete and protecting homes in Ross from a repeat of the serious and devastating flooding which happened in 2000.

“I have been working for many years to get this scheme carried out and it was delayed many times due to problems with securing funding from the government so I am delighted to finally see the scheme come to fruition,” he added.

The tunnel, running between the Homs Road and Kings Acre car parks, forming an integral part of the flood alleviation scheme, was completed in September 2008 following the resolution of some problematical tunnelling conditions which required significant engineering skill and expertise and the final project was completed in December, 2008.

The contractor, Edmund Nuttall, will return this month to complete some minor outstanding works.