Major flood defence plan unveiled

A £50m scheme to improve flood defences along a stretch of the River Trent has reached the planning stages.

The Environment Agency project covering 27km (17miles) of the river has been described as one of the biggest flood defence schemes in the UK.

The agency said 16,000 homes and businesses in Nottingham would gain extra protection from flooding under the proposals.

Plans were submitted to Broxtowe and Erewash district councils on Thursday.

All the work will be carried out along the north bank of the River Trent, including some between Sawley in Derbyshire and Colwick in Nottinghamshire.

Removable walls

The agency said it needed the support of all the local authorities along the stretch of river to be able to start any of the work.

A public consultation will take place as part of the planning process.

An Environment Agency spokesman said the flood defences would protect an area of Nottingham that was devastated during flooding in 1947.

Thousands of homes in West Bridgford, Long Eaton and Beeston were damaged during those floods.

The new defences will include "demountable" protection mounted on top of existing flood walls that can be removed once the danger has passed.

Some of the work could start in autumn 2009 if planning permission is granted.