WINCHESTER’S new flood wall was due to unveiled as part of a £1million project, to protect the city, following major flooding during the winter of 2013/14.

A new low wall has been installed featuring openings for everyday access, which can be closed when needed with gates, to protect the River Park area including St Bede School, Winchester School of Art, homes and businesses.

County council leader Roy Perry said: “This flood barrier provides much needed relief and peace of mind for residents in the St Bede’s and River Park areas, which were badly flooded in 2000/01 and 2013/14 following prolonged periods of heavy rain.

“Flooding is a shared problem which is why a shared solution was needed. I’m grateful that Winchester City Council, the Environment Agency and the University of Southampton have worked with us to build this flood defence.”

Cllr Jan Warwick, city council portfolio holder for transport and engineering, said: “We all recall how disruptive the floods were in 2013/14. These measures should help to reduce the risk of flooding and will hopefully provide reassurance in terms of preventing the damage floodwater causes to private and public property. The scheme is a good example of different parties coming together in order to find a way to tackle the problem of flooding, and shows our collective commitment to investing in the future of Winchester.”

Wesley Jones, flood team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “This scheme has combined central and local government funding to quickly and efficiently deliver a reduced risk of flooding to nearby properties. This work complements the agency’s recent construction of the natural flood storage areas upstream, so that Winchester is now in a much better position to manage flooding.”

Southampton University’s director of estates and facilities, Kevin Monaghan said: “Winchester School of Art is an important institution in the city, attracting investment and jobs as well as the creative young people who help make Winchester such a vibrant city. In the past, severe flooding has caused significant disruption to our Winchester School of Art campus and the new flood defences are most welcome. We were pleased to work collaboratively with the city and county councils and the Environment Agency to find a long-term solution that protects us and also our neighbours.”

The wall has been built in red brick along North Walls/Park Avenue to match existing municipal walls in the area, and blend into the street scene - similar to the recently constructed flood defence wall in Water Lane. However, the core and foundation of the new wall is reinforced concrete - capable of resisting the calculated water pressures.

The scheme received positive feedback during a public consultation in 2015. Minor concerns about the removal of trees have been addressed, with eight new trees and shrubs planted around the nearby River Park Leisure Centre, as well as new shrub planting within the play park.

A second phase of the defences, to be funded by Winchester City Council and the Environment Agency, is currently being designed by Hampshire County Council. This scheme will look to add additional flood protection to areas south of the Durngate Bridge, with works likely to commence in spring 2018.

In the partnership jointly funded by Hampshire County Council (£290,000), Winchester City Council (£144,000), the Environment Agency (£591,000) and University of Southampton (£60,000),