£353,000 investment for Cannock to reduce flooding risk - here's how the money has been spent
A scheme to help reduce the risk of flooding to businesses and residents in Cannock costing more than £350,000 has been completed.
The flooding project has been carried out at Festival Court off Pye Green Road in Pye Green near Cannock town centre and included installation of new drainage and gullies, underground storage to temporarily hold excess water and and vegetation planting to slow water flow through the area.
The £353,000 Staffordshire County Council project was completed in conjunction with the Environment Agency, Cannock Chase District Council after calls from the community for action to alleviate flooding.
Engineers also created additional parking spaces, new accessible bays, installed improved pavements and a new bus stop.
The council council said the completed works would support a community reliant on a small but vital commercial area of the town, including a pharmacy, convenience store, butchers, takeaway, hairdressers and the important Special Needs Adventure Playground (SNAP) building.
Wyn Mattoo, Nisa's Festival Court store manager, said: "Festival Court had previously suffered severe flooding, causing disruption to businesses and difficulties for the community. Our shop experienced internal flooding, resulting in significant damage and financial loss.
“Since the improvements, recent rainfall events have shown a dramatic improvement in the drainage network and we’ve had no flooding to date. While we know extreme storms may still occur, the impact will now be much less.
“The overall look and feel of Festival Court have improved significantly and we are grateful to the team who carried out the works and the Flood Risk Team at Staffordshire County Council."
Staffordshire County Council's connectivity boss Andrew Mynor said: “By working together with our partners, businesses and residents, we’ve been able to deliver an innovative scheme that will help reduce the risk of future flooding in a busy part of the town.
“While much of the work is hidden underground, the improvements above ground that include the parking spaces, improved footpaths, new bus shelter and the rear loading area bay have made a huge difference to the area.
“I’d like to thank everyone who helped with the design of the project and local shop managers and owners whose input was essential in getting the project completed as efficiently as possible.”
Cannock Chase Council's regeneration boss Councillor Maureen Freeman added: “This scheme is a great example of how partnership working can deliver real benefits for our community.
"I’m delighted that (UK Shared Prosperity Fund) UKSPF funding has helped make these improvements possible.
"Festival Court is an important part of Cannock, and these works not only reduce the risk of flooding but also make the area safer and more welcoming for everyone who uses it.”
The project was joint funded with £173,600 in National Grant Funding, £160,000 in Local Levy funding and an additional £20,000 from UKSPF to support connectivity improvements.
Residents and businesses across the district and surrounding villages have lodged complaints about ongoing flooding issues including in Camp Road near Broadhurst Green and in Great Wyrley which falls in South Staffordshire district.
