Eight months of work on a new flood scheme to protect a Worcestershire village will begin later this month.
The scheme is set to break ground in Late April and be completed by Christmas.
Around £5 million is being funded by the Environment Agency, with an additional £250,000 being delivered by Worcestershire County Council.
Dame Harriett Baldwin, MP for West Worcestershire, said: “After many years of campaigning, I am delighted to hear that a contractor is finally ready to go, the newts are cleared, and work will start on the flood defence project at Severn Stoke shortly.
“Just before Christmas, this project was being cancelled by the Environment Agency, but thanks to my swift action asking for the urgent intervention of the Flooding Minister, it is now back in the work plan and fully funded.
“We all hope for a period of good weather to allow the work to proceed swiftly and efficiently and I look forward to visiting the work in due course.”
Over the next eight months, a flood bund, an artificial bank made of clay or soil which is designed to stop water from reaching properties, will be built between the River Severn and the village.
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Plans for the bund were announced several years ago, but delays have left the flood defence in limbo until last month.
Charlie Chandler, Environment Agency area flood risk manager for the West Midlands, said: “Flooding has had devastating impacts on the community of Severn Stoke.
“While the communities’ resilience of residents at Severn Stoke has kept the village going, it is great to be able to deliver a scheme that will give local residents and businesses confidence and will make a real difference to everyday lives.”
A spokesperson for Worcestershire County Council said: “We are pleased that progress is continuing at pace to finalise the Severn Stoke scheme, working closely with our partners at the Environment Agency and our contractor Alun Griffiths Construction Ltd.
“We understand the impact flooding has had on the community in recent years, and how important it is for residents to see this scheme move forward.”
