RESIDENTS living near to a Whittlesey flood storage reservoir have been invited to view plans to strengthen the banks barriers.

The Environment Agency says it wants to reduce the risk to people and properties by spending �25 million to strengthen 16km of the barrier bank at the reservoir at Whittlesey Washes, south of the River Nene.

Starting next year and continuing until 2016, the work will take place on the barrier bank which forms the reservoir dam between Stanground and Rings End.

A drop-in event will be held at Grosvenor House, Eastgate, Whittlesey, between 11am and 7pm on Wednesday, October 24 to give people the chance to talk about the project with members of the Environment Agency’s project team.

Representatives from the internal drainage boards will also be on hand to discuss the proposals at the event.

Guy Szomi, an Environment Agency engineer, said: “Whittlesey Washes plays an important part in helping to reduce the risk of flooding and our work will further reduce the risk to people and property.

“Anyone interested in or affected by the proposals can visit us at the drop-in event to find out more about the barrier bank improvements and to talk to the project team.

“The flood storage reservoir is an effective way of reducing flood risk but no type of defence can remove the risk entirely. The Environment Agency plays an important role in managing risk but people should also know what they can do to protect themselves.

“We therefore urge people to prepare and know what action to take if flooding should happen.”