When you hear the word "brook" you think of a little bubbling stream. What harm could that do anyone?, you ask. But don't be fooled. Brooks can swell and rage and flood houses in the blink of an eye. Brooks, believe it or not, need flood prevention measures too.
Back in February, Salmons Brook was placed on the flood risk management project shortlist - a development I welcomed and, at the time, urged the Minister for Natural Environment and Fisheries, Richard Benyon, to prioritise, not least as it would safeguard by far the largest number of households out of all the schemes shortlisted.
Revelations that the Government is making cuts to flood prevention investment got me worried that Salmons Brook would be side-lined so I chased it up with the Minister.
Good news came back! Well, it is the season of good will after all.
I'll quote directly from the letter I received from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs so there's no confusion: "...the Environment Agency intends to publicly consult on the proposals prior to seeking planning permission from the London Borough of Enfield in March 2012. Works are scheduled to commence in September 2012 and expected to last until October 2014. ... The Salmons Brook [Flood Alleviation Scheme] has a projected total cost of £15.2 million which is included in the Environment Agency's indicative future years capital programme."
For those living in the immediate vicinity of Salmons Brook: consider this an early Christmas present from the Environment Agency (apologies for the lack of gift wrapping).
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