News: Government Minister visits pioneering flood scheme as it completes first phase

Floods Recovery Minister and MP for Wentworth John Healey, who is leading the Government’s contribution to flood recovery, has re-visited the site of the pioneering flood alleviation scheme and urban wetland nature park in Rotherham on completion of its first phase. The £14m first phase has completed on time and has already gone a long way to protect local businesses, residents and the massive Rotherham Renaissance programme for the town centre. Floods Recovery Minister John Healey said: "I applaud the approach that has been taken to reduce flood risk as part of the overall regeneration of the Centenary Riverside area. I want to offer my congratulants to the whole team, it has been a complex project delivered on time and on budget. “The work that has been carried out will greatly reduce the likelihood of future flooding in Rotherham, and should give local businesses and residents the confidence that everything is being done to try and prevent a repeat of last year's terrible events." Local businesses to this area of Rotherham, including Trelleborg, Courrier Logistics and Alcontrol also saw and heard first hand today how the scheme will help protect their business premesis in future flood events. The council’s strategic director for Environment and Development Services Karl Battersby said: “The scheme not only safeguards the people of Rotherham from future flooding, but is also another step in the Renaissance process turning Rotherham into a place where people are proud to live and work." Leading on the scheme is Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council working together with the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Forward and the Wildlife Trust for Sheffield & Rotherham. The scheme is supported by funding from South Yorkshire Objective 1, Yorkshire Forward, the Environment Agency and Rotherham MBC. Volker Stevin is the main contractor.
Rotherham Renaissance website

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