The Environment Agency is holding two meetings to set out plans for the second phase of a £26-million scheme to strengthen the banks of the Whittlesey Washes which is due to start later this year. 

The Environment Agency is inviting people who live close to the flood storage reservoir - also known as the Nene Washes - to one of two drop-in events. They will have the opportunity to see plans of the work and to speak to the project team about the scheme.

Whittlesey Washes is used to store flood water when high river levels cannot be released downstream because of high tides - when the river is ‘tide-locked’. As the tide recedes, water is released from the reservoir and back into the River Nene. The equivalent of 14,000 Olympic-sized pools of flood water can be temporarily stored on the Washes.

The Environment Agency-led scheme involves strengthening 16km of the South Barrier Bank. The scheme is taking place over three years, with the second phase, between Eldernell and Stanground, due to start this summer.

Guy Szomi, Environment Agency catchment engineer, said:

“The Washes play an important part in reducing the risk of flooding to hundreds of properties, as well as roads, railways and more than 8,000 hectares of farmland, in the fenland area to the south east of Peterborough. Our work to strengthen the banks of the Washes will further reduce the risk to people and property.”

The first phase of works – a 5km length of bank between Ring’s End at Guyhirn and Poplar House Farm – began in July 2013. This phase is due to be completed in autumn 2014.

As the washes are an internationally-important habitat, the majority of the work has to take place in the summer and early autumn to avoid disturbing breeding and over-wintering birds.