A TWELVE week project to improve the flood barrier at Freedom Bridge in Wisbech will begin early next month.

Cambs Times: How the Freedom Bridge flood barrier will lookHow the Freedom Bridge flood barrier will look (Image: Archant)

Contractors start work on September 2, with work taking place between 8am and 4pm on Monday to Friday and occasionally on Saturdays between 8am and 12 noon.

During this time, one approach lane of the roundabout at Nene Quay will be out of use.

The improvements, which will start approximately 70m south of Freedom Bridge and finish at Freedom Bridge. will increase the effectiveness of the Nene Quay retaining wall flood defence.

A reinforced concrete retaining wall will be built, clad in bricks. Pavements will be improved and the surrounding area landscaped at the same time.

Several trees will have to be taken out, but new ones will be planted in consultation with Wisbech in Bloom, Wisbech Town Council, Wisbech Civic Society and Fenland District Council.

The Freedom Bridge Retaining Wall has been upgraded by Cambridgeshire County Council (CCC), with Environment Agency part-funding, over the last 4 years.

Due to the size of the project, this scheme has been completed in various phases and future maintenance works will still be required.