Flood defences receive £30m upgrade

A £30 million upgrade of Burton-upon-Trent 's flood defences has been completed.

The project, led by the Environment Agency, follows work carried out between 2005 and 2007 and in all, Burton has some nine kilometres of upgraded defences.

The Environment Agency has also supported East Staffordshire Borough Council in work to improve the areas around the library and leisure centre.

The council secured a £3million grant from Greater Birmingham & Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership to carry out additional public realm enhancements.

Louise Brooke-Smith, non-executive board director for GBSLEP, said: "This project will help protect homes and businesses as well as people and livelihoods. Our £3 million allocation from the Local Growth Fund is testament to our unique partnership work with local government, businesses and educational organisations.

"In this case we have worked with East Staffordshire Borough Council to ensure the wetlands area is better connected to Burton town centre and can be enjoyed as a visitor attraction."

This work includes a wetland area with a boardwalk and is due to be completed by March 2022.

In addition to improving existing defences, the Environment Agency is constructing further defences near Branston Water Park off the A38 after some 18 properties were impacted in the 2020 floods. This work is expected to be completed by next spring.