WORK to repair eroded banks along a Fenland river and reduce the risk of flooding is nearing completion.

More than 1,000 tonnes of stone has been placed along a 150-metre stretch of the tidal River Nene between Wisbech and Guyhirn in a �100,000 project.

The work by the Environment Agency aims to reduce the risk of flooding to up to 13,000 people in Fenland but will not completely remove the risk.

Kevin O’Neill, operations delivery technical support team leader, said: “It was vital to repair the eroded river bank. Shoring-up the bank with Lincolnshire Limestone will help to reduce the risk of bank failure and cut flood risk to thousands of people living and working in the area.”

Rocks used during the work have been transported to site both by road and Environment Agency-owned barge.

Mr O’Neill said: “Using the barge for delivery of some of the stone means we are able to reduce the impact of the works on the busy A47 which runs adjacent to the site.

“However, some disruption will have been unavoidable because the huge volume of material means lorries have still had to be used.

“We apologise for any inconvenience this may have caused but hope people will understand the importance of the work to thousands of people and properties in the area.”