The Environment Agency has started work on upgrading a £2 million flood defence scheme which currently protects more than 100 properties in Bristol.

Built by Bristol City Council between 1964 and 1978, the Brislington flood defence scheme is about 40 years old and walls of the channel are in need of repair. If the wall collapses, the channel could become blocked.

There is also a metal screen which stops trash and other debris from blocking a flood relief tunnel. Despite regular clearing, the screen can become blocked during heavy rain. Adding a platform will allow Environment Agency staff to clear the screen safely during these times.

Getting to the screen can also be challenging. Creating a new access track through Nightingale Valley, routed to reduce the need for tree felling, will avoid the need for disruptive work at the current access point.

Ten small ash and sycamore trees will need to be removed - the council will plant 33 trees which will more than mitigate the loss.

Ron Curtis of the Environment Agency said:

"Brislington is a key flood defence and making these improvements now will keep it fit for purpose - cutting the risk of people's homes becoming flooded."

Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor for Communities at Bristol City Council said:

“The work being carried out by the Environment Agency at Brislington Brook is important to protect people’s homes from future flooding and has been carefully planned to minimise the loss of trees whilst allowing clear access to the flood defence site.

"Trees being removed will be replaced by the Council with involvement from the community to identify suitable planting sites. Overall the City’s ambition is to increase the tree canopy of Bristol through schemes such as One Tree per Employee, which launched in November last year and has already been successful, with 57 Bristol businesses buying a tree for each of their 2,400 staff.”

The works, which began at the end of January, will be completed in the autumn.