River Medway flooding: Defence measures installed in Kent villages

Flood barriers are helping to reduce the risk of flooding in East Peckham

A scheme to protect dozens of homes in two Kent villages from the risk of flooding has been completed.

A total of 119 properties in East Peckham have had measures installed including flood doors, demountable barriers, airbricks and pumps.

In addition, a further 49 properties have had flood defences installed in nearby Five Oak Green.

The Environment Agency said 92% of property owners who signed up to the scheme were now better protected.

The funding was targeted at homes affected by flooding during Storm Ciara in February 2020.

Mark Douch, from the Environment Agency, said: "By preventing or slowing the amount of water entering homes that most frequently experienced floods, people will have more time to prepare.

East Peckham has been flooded several times in the last few years

"The measures will also minimise water damage to allow people to get back into their homes more quickly following a flood."

Flood resilience measures had previously been installed in 256 properties in the Middle Medway area in 2020.

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