Trees were planted in St Neots on Monday (November 23) to mark the official opening of the flood alleviation scheme which will help protect 115 properties. The �1.6million Environment Agency scheme was completed in six months and will reduce the flood ri

Trees were planted in St Neots on Monday (November 23) to mark the official opening of the flood alleviation scheme which will help protect 115 properties.

The �1.6million Environment Agency scheme was completed in six months and will reduce the flood risk to properties in the Paddocks and St Neots Road.

The scheme included building a flood embankment through Riverside Park and raising a section of Crosshall Road.

Workers also installed raised flower beds which are not only an attractive feature but form part of the flood defence.

The tree planting ceremony was led by EA area manager Geoff Brighty, Steve Wheatley, chairman of the Regional Flood Defence Committee and Councillor John Davies, chairman of Huntingdonshire District Council.

Mr Brighty said: "St Neots has flooded twice in recent memory. The support, interest and positive feedback we have received from the local community have contributed a great deal to the success of the project.

"We are particularly grateful for resident's co-operation during the six months while we have been working on this."

A mixture of standard and semi mature trees will be planted to replace those removed to make way for the new flood embankment. The embankment will also be reseeded.

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