Toronto Close flood defences: work starts in Lower Wick

Work is now underway at Toronto Close in Lower Wick, Worcester as part of a £2.5 million scheme to defend homes from flooding.

AWFUL: Flooding in Toronto Close in February 2020 - scenes the Environment Agency and residents hope will soon become a thing of the past once the defences are finished (Image: Environment Agency)

The Environment Agency has started work with Worcestershire County Council on the flood risk management scheme at the close which has a history of flooding from the River Severn and River Teme, feeding into the Laugherne Brook.

Ray Grundy, 74, said as the work began: "It's a feeling of absolute joy. We have still got to get through this winter. The defences aren't going to be built within a month or so - but they have started the work. It involves importing a quite substantial amount of soil and the agreed works will be built up to the bank along the side of the Laugherne Brook."

CHANGES: Toronto Close pictured on Friday, December 8, 2023 - the day work on the flood scheme officially began (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Mr Grundy described Toronto Close as acting 'like a basin'. Although many of the houses were built in 1978 and 1979 and accounted for the 1947 level of flood water, they never had a problem with flooding again until July 2007 (with a repeat in February 2020).

During those floods, some homes were breached to a height of 80cm which damaged kitchens and utility rooms and meant some residents had to be accommodated in caravans, rental properties and hotels.

He and another resident - Martin Judkins (who has since left) - set up the Toronto Close Flood Group in November 2014 and were supported by the city's MP, Robin Walker during those nine years, and had several meetings with the Environment Agency. 

SITE: Ray Grundy has described the 'absolute joy' of residents after work on the Toronto Close flood defences gets underway (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

In July 2007 16 properties flooded internally, with the depth of water reaching up to 800mm. Further flooding took place in 2020 during Storm Dennis when many residents had to evacuate their homes.

Charles Chandler, Area Flood Risk Manager for the Environment Agency said: “We know the devastating impact that flooding can have and sadly has been experienced first-hand by some residents of Toronto Close. We are very pleased to be starting work on this flood risk management scheme for Toronto Close to better protect homes from flooding.”

DELUGE: The Laugherne Brook pictured this month (Image: Supplied by Environment Agency)

Councillor Richard Morris, Worcestershire County Council’s cabinet member for the Environment, added: “We’re delighted that works on this scheme are about to begin.
"Homes in Toronto Close have suffered with flooding in the past and these works will significantly reduce the impact in future which will benefit the residents.”

SUPPORT: Ray Grundy has been supported for the last eight years by Worcester's MP Robin Walker (Image: Supplied)

The scheme starts in open ground to the west of Toronto Close and ties into high ground at Teme Court. It is approximately 255m long and consists of an embankment across open land and through residential gardens along the Laugherne Brook as well as the strengthening and rebuilding of the existing historic wall along Old Road.

VITAL: This wall be reinforced so it provides a more secure defence against flooding from the brook in Toronto Close, Lower Wick (Image: James Connell/Newsquest)

Two floodgates will also be installed in front of existing accesses from Toronto Close onto Old Road.

The crest height of the embankments and walls is based on historic flood level and the structures will, at their highest, be around 1.5m above existing ground level.

Work has begun by contractor Alun Griffiths after the scheme successfully secured planning permission in September.