12 Apr Harrow flood defences to be improved

Harrow Council has been successful in securing a share of £6m in funding from the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), to implement natural flood protection projects along the river Brent and Silkstream.

The Government recognised the Borough has some of the fastest housing growth rates in London. The funding will allow the council to implement natural flood protection measures to address potential river flooding within urban areas.

The proposed projects include flood storage areas in Stanmore Country Park and Bentley Priory, a wetlands area in Chandos Park, and river restoration of Edgware brook. Each project will bring other benefits by improving water quality, increasing natural habitat and biodiversity and improving public amenity space.

Cllr Varsha Parmar, Environment Portfolio Holder, said: “This is very exciting and welcome news. It’s great that it has been recognised that Harrow has one of the fastest housing growth rates in London and will need protection against river flooding.

“In addition, the benefits of this scheme, including boosting biodiversity and public space as well as improvements to water quality, will mean significant gains for the Borough.”