RESIDENTS have welcomed a £2.2m scheme in Oxford aimed at protecting scores of homes from flash flooding.

The city council started work on the Northway and Marston Flood Alleviation Scheme in November last year and three flood water storage areas, channel realignment and new embankments have now been completed.

This means the 110 homes are now much less likely to suffer flooding from Peasmoor Brook and the Headington Hill Tributary.

It can take as little as half an hour of torrential rain to cause flooding outside homes in the areas.

Grandmother Janet Weston, 85, lives in Stockleys Road, Marston, with her husband Thomas, 88, a former car factory worker.

She said: “We have lived here for 55 years and we have always had problems with flooding – the flood water comes right up on to our drives.

“We really appreciate what the council has done and we are keeping our fingers crossed this will work.”

Pensioner Betty Fletcher, who also lives in Stockleys Road, added: “In 2012 the cars in the road were all flooded – it was not pleasant at all and we will now have to wait until there is a big storm for this new scheme to be properly tested.

“I have lived here for 23 years and have campaigned for the council to help us on this.

“What they have done should work and we hope it will work.”

City councillors including John Tanner, Mark Lygo, Mick Haines and Nigel Chapman visited Court Place Farm Recreation Ground yesterday to see how one of the storage areas would work.

Rain will now be channelled into the three flood water storage areas, and then released into the drainage system and waterways at a pace they can cope with.

The city council won funding from grants administered by the Environment Agency – £1.6m – and Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership – £600,000.

John Tanner, executive board member for a clean and green Oxford, said: “I am thrilled that this flood-prevention project has now been completed by our city council workforce.

“We know how horrendous it is having your home under water and now it is much less likely that homes in Northway and Marston will suffer from flash flooding.

“I would like to thank residents for their patience and support during the construction work and I hope they enjoy the new nature reserves when they open in September.”

Nigel Tipple, chief executive of Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “We are delighted this flood alleviation project is now complete – it will have a positive impact on more than 100 homes in Oxford.”