A FLOOD alleviation scheme is set for completion this summer.

The final stage of the work was given permission last year and a party of town, district and county councillors visited the work site on Monday.

The group of councillors then reviewed the creation of a series of new culverts and ditches to reduce flood risk.

Councillor Sue Coakley, the cabinet member for the environment at Cotswold District Council and chair of the Moreton Flood Alleviation Board, said: "It’s good to get up close to the construction workers and machines that are making Moreton a much safer place.

"We wanted to ensure that Moreton would have first class defences against the threat of flooding and I am pleased to report that our stated aim is well on the way to becoming a reality.

"Now that I have seen this scheme with my own eyes, I have a much better appreciation of the complexity and scale of this project, and the physical obstacles which have resulted in several unavoidable delays and significant extra costs."

Since 2007 Cotswold District Council has spent over £350,000 on improvements to flood defences in the town. Gloucestershire County Council has allocated £370,000 to Moreton flood alleviation, including £270,000 in this particular project and Moreton Town Council has also agreed funding of £30,000.

County councillor Nigel Moor, added: "Working alongside other Councils, the Environment Agency and other organisations, together with the support of Geoffrey Clifton-Brown MP, the county council is committed to improving resilience across the county.

"Providing first class flooding defences in Moreton has been one of our top priorities, and also one of the most challenging.

"It’s very satisfying to see the plans now coming to fruition and we look forward to the completion of the project in the next few months."

Councillor Michael Lucas of Moreton Town Council commented: "The combined effect of all these improvements should ensure that we will not return to the ‘dark days’ of 2007 when Moreton and surrounding areas could not cope with a severe deluge."