A TEAM from the Environment Agency strengthened flooding defences as it made the River Windrush winter ready.

Workers with the agency recently finished re-aligning the Newbridge Cut away from the River Windrush, as well as reinforcing the bank of the river near Standlake.

The work forms part of a programme of maintenance works in the Thames valley to ensure that rivers and assets remain in good condition over the coming months.

During routine inspections, Environment Agency officers discovered that an embankment located between the River Windrush and the Newbridge Cut near Standlake had been eroded, creating a high risk of failing during high flow conditions.

Gareth Simpson, flood and coastal risk management officer from the asset performance team, said: “The embankment was particularly narrow at this point which left it vulnerable in flood conditions.

“By re-aligning the Newbridge Cut away from the River Windrush and reinforcing the bank of the Windrush, we have significantly reduced the risk of floodwater breaching the embankment and flowing to nearby properties”

110 tonnes of rock armour was also imported to the site and placed along the left bank of the Windrush to further protect and reduce the rate of erosion.

Keeping rivers clear from the build-up of gravel, plants and debris forms an important part of the Environment Agency’s river maintenance plan, in order to maintain the required standard of flood protection in priority flood risk areas.

River channels are inspected annually to identify any maintenance work required.