Work on revamped Kennet Place flood relief scheme to start in the autumn

Work is to start in the autumn in a revamped flood protection scheme costing £230,000 in grade II listed Kennet Place, Marlborough, following the discovery of high voltage cables in the river bank.

But Marlborough town council’s contribution to the project – the cost has virtually doubled — will remain at its original level of £36,000, the council’s Finance and Policy Committee has been told.

This is because the Environment Agency, which has designed the scheme, is itself putting in extra funding in its three-way split with the town council and Wiltshire Council, who are jointly involved.

“We have had to re-think the design of the proposed flood defence due to the presence of high voltage cables along the original alignment of the defence,” Mark Heelis, the Environment Agency’s technical expert, told Marlborough News Online.

“We are currently working on the detailed design of the flood defence which will take the form of timber capped steel piles.”

These are now necessary for an effective and safe way of preventing the flooding when the Kennet last overflowed in 2003 (pictured).

“Once we have completed the detailed design we will be holding a drop in session at Marlborough town hall to share our proposals with the local residents and businesses,” added Mr Heelis.