Flood relief scheme targets ponds

Thousands of homes and roads were flooded in 2007

A water catchment area is to be overhauled with the help of £270,000 to prevent future flooding.

The Saintbridge balancing ponds, in Gloucester, store excess water from local rivers and waterways during heavy rainfall.

The scheme will increase the capacity of a lower pond by more than 30%.

The council said the initiative was to help reduce a repeat of the "disastrous flooding" of nearby homes, by the overflowing ponds in 2007.

Councillor Stephen Morgan, of Gloucester City Council, said the scheme was one of a number "...around the city as part of our ongoing flood alleviation works".

Work on the ponds will begin in September 2008 and will take approximately 10 weeks to complete.

The project will be funded by the City Council, Severn Trent, Gloucestershire County Council and government grants.