BUSINESSES under threat if the riving Roding burst its banks have criticised plans to reduce the flood risk.

The Environment Agency has released plans to protect 900 homes and businesses after 300 properties were damaged in 2000.

But retailers in Chigwell Road, Woodford Bridge, are calling for urgent measures to protect businesses as the current proposals will take up to three years to implement.

The Agency wants to build two flood storage areas and two pumping stations.

But David Craythorne, owner of Pet & Garden shop in Chigwell Road, said: “If it’s going to take a long time how do they know it’s not going to flood in one year? They need to have some interim measures.”

Alan Faulkner, owner of Sun Trap tanning salon on Chigwell Road, added: “We’re at the bottom of the road, the low point where all the water will run down to.

“The drainage is really bad here, if they just spent a bit of money on keeping the road clear it would make a huge difference because water could drain into the river more easily. It’s a much cheaper option.”

One of the storage areas, earmarked for a plot close to Chigwell Road, will collect excess rainwater which cannot be absorbed through the ground.

Pumping stations on Winn Brook and at Charlie Brown roundabout will distribute the excess water back into the river.

Defences higher up the river will be abandoned to allow fields in rural areas to flood in order to reduce the risk in the Woodford Bridge area.

Hayley Willoughby, of the Environment Agency, said: “We currently operate a flood defence on the river which protects properties against a 1 in 75-year storm event.

“Woodford also benefits from an existing drainage system and flood storage area to deal with surface water flooding.”

“Blocked drains may exacerbate the underlying problem but are not the cause. Thames Water are responsible for maintaining the drainage system on Chigwell Road.”

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