Perry Barr and Witton flood risk management scheme
Updated 1 February 2021
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There are approximately 1,400 properties at risk from this section of the River Tame, including 950 residential properties. The Environment Agency, supported by Birmingham City Council, is currently carrying out work to repair and improve existing defences and build new ones. This includes increasing the capacity of an existing flood storage area in the Sandwell Valley.
Latest news
Phase 1 of the scheme was largely completed in spring 2017, bringing new flood walls, flood gates and flow conveyance improvements from Brookvale Road in Witton down to Gravelly Park Industrial Estate in Aston. Improvement works to culverts under the railway line in this area are currently outstanding, but will be completed as part of Phase 2. The improved flood wall and flood gates in Witton successfully stopped properties from flooding in May 2018 and again in February 2020.
Construction access work for Phase 2 started in late January 2018 by our contractors Jacksons. The work here will increase flood storage capacity in the Sandwell Valley and will be completed by the end of March 2022.
Scheme overview and timescales
Phase 2 of the scheme provides additional flood storage at Forge Mill in the Sandwell Valley, upstream of Perry Barr and Witton, to control the passage of flood water downstream. A new grass covered earth embankment has been built to the east of the existing lake to increase the amount of flood water that can be stored in the Sandwell Valley. The embankment will run from north to south and cross the river channel. Where it crosses the river an outlet structure is installed, along with a spillway, allowing the flow of water to be managed when necessary. When river levels rise, the gates of the outlet structure will operate, restricting water from flowing downstream and temporarily storing it behind the new embankment. In very large floods the area of stored water will extend back up the valley to Forge Mill Farm and Newton Road, also increasing the water in the existing flood storage lake. Operation of the gates will react to river levels downstream in Witton to make sure that the gates are only closed when necessary to stop flooding of houses and businesses. For small flood events the existing flood storage lake will operate in the same way that it does now.
Recent work on the scheme included the forming and shaping of the earth embankments which will provide the water storage volume. There is still ongoing work to cover the embankments with topsoil and grass to create a natural covering, blending into the current landscape. With the control structure built, mechanical and electrical equipment is currently being installed which will enable remote and automatic operation.
The wall and embankment around Forge Mill Farm are now in place. Remaining works at Forge Mill Farm include topsoil and grass establishment on the new embankment and finishing touches to access tracks for use by the Farm. Landscaping and planting will create a look and feel sympathetic to the existing landscape.
We expect the project to be completed by the end of March 2022. This will provide a new environment which includes a new circular route around this new section of the Sandwell Valley Country Park for the local community to enjoy.
Community engagement
The Environment Agency has been engaging with the community throughout scheme construction. There has been a number of public drop-in sessions, community newsletters and face to face meetings. Unfortunately, due to coronavirus, face to face meetings and site visits had to halt in March 2020. We are still happy to join virtual meetings when invited.
We have installed a number of notice boards in popular locations of the Forge Mill Farm area of Sandwell Valley Country Park. These boards display scheme information and updates. We also send out updates and information about any public consultation or events through our email database.
If you have not received our latest newsletter and would like a copy, or would like to be kept informed of scheme progress or have any questions, please contact us using the information below and ask to be added to the database.
Get in touch
To find out more about this scheme, please e-mail witton.frms@environment-agency.gov.uk or call 03708 506 506 and ask for the Perry Barr and Witton Public Liaison Officer.