Floods minister Emma Hardy visited the River Roding Project on October 15, a £28 million flood storage area under construction in Woodford and Ilford.
The scheme is designed to protect around 1,500 properties, businesses, and infrastructure from flood risk.
During her visit, Ms Hardy was shown how the temporary reservoir will store excess water during times of high flows.
She said: “Households and businesses in Woodford and Ilford will be safer than ever from flooding thanks to this £28 million flood storage area which, once complete, will reduce flood risk for 1,500 properties.
“As flooding worsens, these schemes are not only essential for safeguarding our communities, but they also allow local economies to thrive – creating thousands of jobs and unlocking housebuilding projects.”
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The River Roding scheme is part of more than 1,000 flood projects receiving government funding between 2024 and 2026 as part of a wider £10.5 billion investment in flood protection by 2036.
The most severe recent flooding in the area occurred in the autumn of 2000 when more than 400 homes in Woodford were inundated and major roads and infrastructure were disrupted.
The new storage area aims to prevent a repeat of such events by temporarily holding floodwater, reducing the risk of flooding downstream.
In addition to protecting homes and businesses, the project is expected to support the local economy by reducing flood risk to critical infrastructure, including Charlie Brown’s Roundabout.
It also includes environmental improvements, with plans to re-route the artificially straightened River Roding through a newly created wetland to enhance and diversify habitats.
The visit took place during Flood Action Week, with the Environment Agency urging the public to prepare for the wetter months ahead by signing up for flood warnings and putting together personal flood plans.
