10/01/2006 - The Environment Agency is giving Gloucester residents the opportunity to find out about and comment on our plans for managing flood risk in the city and the surrounding area. Managing flood risk means reducing both the likelihood of flooding and the impact of flooding on people and properties when it occurs. Following the 2000 floods we started a number of studies on how to manage flood risk for the River Severn.

We have recently completed the Gloucester Study which looks at managing flood risk in the Gloucester area and identifies how we can manage flood risk.

We are holding an open day where you will also be able to view the study and find out more.

The study presents different flood risk management options for an area covering the River Severn and its floodplain between Sandhurst and Minsterworth village. It includes the east and west channels of the Severn, which flow around Alney Island to the west of Gloucester. The area is affected by flooding caused by high tides and high river flows, or combinations of the two.

We are looking for input from the public on our plans. The study can be seen on the following page on our web site: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/regions/midlands/567079/567090/893833/894284/519177/519182/

People can also view a copy of the study at the following locations:

Gloucester Central Reference Library, Brunswick Road, Gloucester, GL1 2TG

Lower Severn Area Office, Environment Agency, Riversmeet House, Newtown Industrial Estate, Northway Lane, Tewkesbury, GL20 8JG

People have until 28 February 2006 to comment on the study and can do so by writing to Mark Kingdom, Project Manager, Environment Agency, Manley House, Kestrel Way, Exeter, Devon, EX2 7LQ

Speaking about the event, Area Flood Risk manager Anthony Perry says: ‘We have considered a number of options to limit the impact flooding has on people and businesses in the Gloucester area. The study contains the results of this work.

‘The input from people living in study area will be really useful to our ongoing work and I urge people with an interest to come along. Those who are not able to attend can still contribute by logging on to our website or viewing the report at the Gloucester Reference Library. New perspectives and observations are always useful to us and we look forward to seeing the public’s input.’

The open day will also give people the opportunity to find out about our Tidal Severn Strategy (TSS). Although the consultation period for this has closed, staff will be available to answer questions regarding the process we went through and the results. The TSS covers the area from The Weirs at Gloucester down to Avonmouth and Beachley.