HAVING suffered at the hands of devastating flooding in 2012 and 2013, work is being carried out this week to help prevent future misery for Malmesbury residents.


Major new flood defence work is taking place in the town that will see the River Avon de-silted along a 100 metre stretch downstream of the town bridge.


Stones and vegetation that have built up on the river bed will be removed which will make the river deeper and faster flowing, reducing the risk of future flooding.


The dismantling of the base of the town’s old gasometer which protrudes into the river, will also take place, which will allow the river to be widened on a section where some of the worst flooding has taken place. The work started on Monday and will last for up to two weeks.


A Wiltshire Council spokesman said: “As the lead flood authority we have been working with partners from the Environment Agency, Malmesbury Town Council and Malmesbury Flood Working Group to seek a solution to the threats from flooding from the River Avon to Malmesbury for several years.”


Ray Sanderson was Malmesbury mayor during the worst of the floods in the town and started a fund for those affected.


He is now chairman of the flood working group and is happy to see the project get underway.
“A lot of people had to move out of their houses for six months at a time,” he said.


“The lower High Street was badly affected and we hope the work will stop flooding ever happening again.


“I’m pleased that Wiltshire Council and the Environment Agency have rallied around and are getting the work done.


“De-silting this stretch of the river will go some way towards reducing the possibility of floods.”


In 2012 four people were evacuated from their homes when Malmesbury town centre suffered its worst floods in 70 years.


Tom Hudson, landlord at the Rose and Crown pub in Malmesbury, gave people shelter during the floods and supplied fresh tea and coffee during their time of need.


He is glad to see something is finally being done to prevent a repeat of the floods.


“When the flood happened, everyone tried to help each other out,” he said.


“It’s nice to see something being done now. I know these things take time to get going but I’m glad it’s all starting to happen finally.”