This spring the Environment Agency and partners Halcrow and May Gurney rebuilt a 33 metre section of the Lower Mole flood alleviation scheme.

The flood alleviation scheme, which protects 10,000 properties from Hersham to Molesey in Surrey, has undergone a £200, 500 facelift to ensure that the flood scheme continues to provide a high level of flood protection to local residents and businesses in the area.

The nine week programme - designed to strengthen and enhance the flood alleviation scheme at 'The Leys' in Esher, Surrey - was completed ahead of schedule. Beginning 500 metres upstream of Albany Bridge on the River Mole, works included the removal of a failed section of flood wall, and the installation of 24 eight-metre-deep bored piles to stabilise the bank. A brick faced flood defence wall was then constructed on top of the new piles, making them more resilient against long-term ground movement.

Environment Agency project manager Berhe Kesete said: "The success of this project is due to good communication and planning between the Environment Agency, consultants, contractors and local residents.

"We carried out this work as a priority to ensure that the scheme remained in good repair and continued to operate effectively, to protect several thousand properties from flooding in Surrey.

Living in the floodplain is never without risk, but this project will help decrease the risk of flooding."

To find out the flood risk in your area log on to the Environment Agency's website at www.environment-agency.gov.uk or call Floodline on 0845 988 1188 for advice on to find out how to prepare for flooding.

3:38pm Thursday 15th May 2008

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