IPSWICH: Hundreds of residents are set to be protected from flooding as work starts on a �1million defence scheme.

The Environment Agency (EA) is starting construction on Monday on a renewed flood defence to protect 128 properties in Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

The level of the existing flood defence in this area has reduced since it was first constructed, leaving these homes exposed to possible damage from rising flood waters if it is not built back up to its original level.

Engineers will start work to build an earth embankment on the strip of land behind gardens in Wherstead Road, extending it north from the West Bank Terminal security checkpoint to the site of the old Halifax Mill, now Orwell Pine.

They will also raise block paving and tarmac ridges through the Associated British Port’s West Bank Terminal and install a combination of concrete kerbs and ramps through the Brett Aggregates site.

EA project manager, Andrew Usborne, said: “We are really pleased to be able to progress this important work, which will raise the standard of flood protection to the residents of Wherstead Road and the Port of Ipswich, and is part of the overall Ipswich Flood Defence Management Scheme.”

Work starts at the port on Monday, moving on to the residents’ gardens and the port fence line on September 19. It is scheduled to finish within three months.

Suffolk County Councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning, said: “As a member of the Regional Flood Defence Committee, I have been pressing for this work to start.

“I know how important flood protection is to the people of Ipswich.”

The scheme has been funded through a local levy by the county council, and approved by the Eastern Regional Flood and Coastal Committee.

n Will this work affect you? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.