THE Government has announced it is making almost £1million available for flood mitigation projects in East Swindon.

Yesterday, £2.3 billion was made available for projects across the country as part of a pre-budget announcement.

Two of the schemes are in Swindon, and although it is not expected work will start on them for several years, they are predicted to bring huge benefits to the area.

One of the projects is in Covingham and Dorcan, which is estimated to cost in the region of £550,000, while the second is in Wanborough, costing £390,000.

Around 90 homes will be protected by the projects but the economic benefit is thought to be around £8 million as the surrounding roads will be protected.

Councillor Dale Heenan (Con, Covingham and Dorcan), the cabinet member responsible for flooding, said: “I’m very pleased that the Government has announced that the Environment Agency will commit £550,000 towards drainage and anti-flooding schemes in Covingham and Nythe and £390,000 in Wanborough. The work is scheduled to start in 2016, and there remain some of the finer details to work out.

“We are always lobbying Government to provide money for projects, and this money is something that has been quietly worked on to avoid raising expectations. Flooding is a topic that the council takes seriously, though it may not shout about it.

“Last year Swindon Council was awarded a grant by DEFRA to set up Flood Action groups in local communities, and this year’s Council Tax budget agreed £300,000 for drainage work, and a further £600,000 over the next two years.

“As the Cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, and a councillor who represents Covingham and Dorcan, the government announcement is very good news which should make a real difference to local residents concerned with flooding.”

The news was welcomed by locals, who say the work is needed.

The chairman of Wanborough Parish Council, Gary Sumner, said: “Anything to address the flooding issues in Wanborough has got to be a good thing. “I would like to see it extended to the whole of Wanborough but it took this long to bring this money. We have been trying to get the flood mitigation plan in place for some time now so it’s great news to hear that this will finally come about.

“The plans are for road drainage along Kite Hill, Rotten Row and at some parts in the High Street. Where Wanborough is basically on one big hill the water runs from the top of the hill to the bottom which is where the flooding happens.

“Obviously when it comes to timescales I want to see it happen sooner rather than later.

“It’s a big plan, it will take quite a lot of work and has been a long time coming.”