Flooding cut to one in 200 chance in Northampton
- Published
The chances of flooding in the centre of Northampton have been reduced to one in 200 after a three-year river defence project costing £7m.
Flood defences have been assessed by consultants over the past 10 months.
The Regional Flood Defence Committee asked engineers Scott Wilson to review protection, taking into account climate change.
Engineers said there was now a small chance of floods in the town centre like those of Easter 1998.
The review looked at the improved flood defences built by the Environment Agency since 1998.
Engineers found that although all defences were in good condition some sections would benefit from improvement.
Robert Caudwell, chairman of the Regional Flood Defence Committee, said: "The findings of this in-depth report confirm the centre of Northampton, including Far Cotton and St James so badly affected by flooding in 1998, is one of the best protected areas outside of central London.
"It shows defences would still reduce the risk through the centre of the town from a flood with a 1 in 200 chance of happening
"But ongoing maintenance work will be needed to ensure this standard of protection is maintained."