A CONTRACT for the construction of the £7million Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme has just been awarded to Nuttall, a national contractor experienced in flood alleviation work.

The scheme, originally due to start in spring 2006, was delayed due to difficulties with funding but a government announcement in December 2006 confirmed funds would be made available in 2007.

Since then the scheme has gone out to tender, tenders have been assessed and approval gained from the Environment Agency. Agreements will now be sought with landowners affected by the scheme so access can be gained to carry out the works.

The Ross Flood Alleviation Scheme was first discussed in December 2000 when the town centre was hit by serious flooding and has been developed in close consultation with local businesses and interests.

It has been designed to national standards and will protect areas around Greytree Road, Brook End Street, Millpond Street and the Broadmeadows Industrial Estate from flooding by the Ruhall and Chatterley brooks.

Councillor Brian Wilcox, the councillor responsible for implementing the scheme, said: "We have been working on this scheme ever since devastating floods hit Ross town centre in 2000 and I am pleased we now have a starting date for the project which will benefit the whole community."

To create the new flood defence, engineering works will include: Construction of a 350-metre long, 2.1 metre diameter tunnel (termed an inverted siphon) running between the Homs Road and Kings Acre car parks General channel improvements to the Rudhall Brook in Rope Walk Meadow and to the east of the A40 Creation of a flood storage area to the east of the A40 for the Rudhall Brook and Chatterley Brooks 3.5m x 1.5m concrete culvert, to the Chatterley Brook in Broadmeadows Preparatory work is due to start in June with the main works beginning in September. The scheme is set for completion in June 2008. Work will be undertaken to a high environmental standard. Both the Environment Agency and English Nature have been consulted and will be involved throughout the construction period.

No long-term road closures are required for the work although short-term traffic management measures will be required at certain periods and two rights of way temporarily diverted.

To enable the construction of the tunnel, Homs Road car park will be closed and the number of spaces in Kings Acre car parks reduced during the works.

Planning permission was granted for the scheme in the summer of 2004.