The anti-flood scheme is said to offer protection for the next 60 years
The Environment Agency has completed a major flood defence scheme along Fowlea Brook at Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire.
The work reduces flood risk for 333 homes and businesses and, it is claimed, unlocks £75 million in regeneration opportunities.
The Fowlea Brook Flood Risk Management Scheme delivers new flood walls, embankments and a flood gate, alongside repairs and upgrades to over 500 metres of the channel.
City centre brook is prone to flooding
This work extends the defences’ lifespan by another 60 years. The brook, which runs through the city centre, is prone to rapid rises during heavy rain, a risk heightened by more frequent and intense extreme weather linked to climate change.
More houses are planned
The project has already spurred development, with three housing schemes worth £15 million under construction, delivering 238 new homes.
A further six sites in the planning pipeline could provide over 350 additional homes plus a regional AI hub valued at more than £60 million.
Environmental enhancements include removing a barrier that blocked fish migration, reopening 6.5 km of the brook for species such as brown trout and chub. The concrete channel has been redesigned to foster natural habitats and boost biodiversity.
Mark Swain, West Midlands Flood Risk Team Leader at the Environment Agency, said: “We are delighted to have completed the Fowlea Brook Flood scheme and we look forward to seeing the benefits it brings for years to come.
“This project is essential for lowering flood risk for 333 properties and for unlocking multimillion pound regeneration opportunities. We are already seeing the effects of climate change in the UK. We’re working to reduce flood risk for communities, with climate change projection built into the design of any scheme to ensure they are fit for the future.”
‘Significant milestone for our city’
Councillor Finlay Gordon-McCusker, cabinet member for regeneration, transport and infrastructure at Stoke-on-Trent City Council, added: “The completion of the Fowlea Brook Flood Defence Scheme is a significant milestone for our city.
“This project will provide long-term protection for homes, businesses, key infrastructure and any potential development on the surrounding brownfield land, helping to reduce the risk of flooding and giving residents, business owners and investors greater peace of mind.”
The scheme forms part of the Environment Agency’s £5.2 billion investment by 2027 to deliver 2,000 new flood and coastal defences, protecting 336,000 properties across England in response to the climate emergency.
