THE Environment Agency s controversial plans to install new flood defences at Godmanchester will be on display at a public exhibition next week. The plans have sparked much debate on The Hunts Post s letters page, mainly due to the inclusion of the Cause

THE Environment Agency's controversial plans to install new flood defences at Godmanchester will be on display at a public exhibition next week.

The plans have sparked much debate on The Hunts Post's letters page, mainly due to the inclusion of the Causeway where a flood defence 30cm high is proposed.

The Environment Agency says it has compared several options for dealing with flood risk in Godmanchester and is recommending that new defences are built along the river between the town and the Ouse.

It says the majority of the defences would pass through private gardens and, if built, would reduce the risk of flooding to about 600 homes and properties from one in 10 years to one in 100 years.

The agency says it is also working on plans to reduce the visual impact of the new defences at the Causeway by lifting the existing railing and sitting it on top of a new flood defence wall.

Another option is to widen the Causeway into the river channel and create a new open public space.

Nicolas Rowlinson, project manager, said: "We are really keen that people who live and work in Godmanchester come along to see the proposed scheme for themselves.

"There will be an opportunity for people to comment on the ideas for the public spaces such as the Causeway and we would urge people to give us their feedback."

INFORMATION: The public exhibition will be on Friday, October 31, between 10am and 3pm, and 5pm and 9.30pm, at the School Hall near the Chinese bridge, Post Street, Godmanchester.

A final scheme will submitted for planning permission in 2009 and construction is planned for 2010.

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