A MAJOR road into Wisbech town centre is again closed for works to protect 10,500 homes from flooding – and a drop-in session takes place this week for residents. South Brink was closed yesterday (Monday) by the Environment Agency to allow piling work to

A MAJOR road into Wisbech town centre is again closed for works to protect 10,500 homes from flooding - and a drop-in session takes place this week for residents.

South Brink was closed yesterday (Monday) by the Environment Agency to allow piling work to start again alongside the River Nene.

The road was closed at the end of October but reopened in the run-up to Christmas to minimise disruption over the Christmas period.

As part of the scheme, a drop-in session will take place at the Reed Barn at Peckover House, in North Brink, on Thursday from 3-7pm.

People living and working in the town can pop along and talk to members of the project team who will be able to give information and answer questions about the works.

Environment Agency project manager Andrew Usborne, who is overseeing the Wisbech scheme, said: "These works are vital for the future protection of Wisbech.

"Climate change and sea level rise mean we need to improve flood defences in the town to maintain the level of protection they currently provide.

"The Environment Agency appreciates this scheme is causing disruption to people living and working in Wisbech but we hope they will understand it will help to prevent potential flooding in the future."

South Brink is expected to reopen in March when the first phase of the Wisbech scheme is completed. The next phase will see works carried out to improve flood defences along North Brink.

The flood defence scheme will ensure current flood protection levels for 10,500 homes and 1,200 businesses are maintained into the future. The work includes driving piles into the riverbank. These will then be clad with concrete and bricks.

A diversion is in place via Weasenham Lane and the A1101 Churchill Road during the South Brink closure. All businesses will be open as usual and access to Somers Road car park will be maintained.

The work is being carried out in partnership with EC Harris, Interserve and Atkins.

• For more information about the drop-in session, contact Monica Raine from Interserve on 01945 464527.