The £4.5 million Godalming flood alleviation scheme, which will protect 90 properties, has been officially unveiled this week by the chair of the Environment Agency, Emma Howard Boyd, and South West Surrey MP Jeremy Hunt.

The Environment Agency contributed approximately a third of the cost, through government grant-in-aid.

The scheme has been developed as a partnership project between the Environment Agency, Surrey County Council, Waverley Borough Council, Godalming Town Council, Thames Water, Scottish and Southern Electricity and the local Godalming Flood Group supported by Jeremy Hunt MP.

A 525-metre flood wall has been built along the banks of the Hell’s Ditch to reduce flooding in the Meadrow and Catteshall area. The new defence is built to withstand a flood with a 0.5% probability of one occurring in any year, plus a provision for climate change. This is part of the Environment Agency’s long-term approach to be better prepared for the increased level of risk that climate change will bring.

2013 Godalming floods caused widespread disruption to the Surrey town

Godalming has a history of flooding, with 4 notable events in 1968, 1990, 2000 and 2013. During the most recent 2013 flood, Meadrow and Catteshall Road area were flooded, with access from Meadrow to Godalming severely restricted.

A removable flood barrier will complete the defence across Catteshall Road, put up only when flooding is predicted and the road needs to be closed. The flood barrier is customised for the scheme and can be put up quickly to stop flood water flowing from Lammas Land towards Meadrow.

Two pumping stations have also been installed to pump out a combined total of 84 litres per second. The pumps catch water fed by the surface water drainage system and ground water and will pump water back to Hell’s Ditch during times of high river levels.

Emma Howard Boyd, the Environment Agency’s chair, said:

“This innovative flood scheme project is an example of how partnership working at all levels can achieve fantastic results. As the impacts of the climate emergency become more apparent, making communities like Godalming more resilient is the Environment Agency’s top priority and builds on the Government’s £2.6 billion investment in flood and coastal defences up and down the country.”