Council works with Environment Agency to bolster Butlers Leap flood defences

WORK starts next week to strengthen flood defences at Butlers Leap.
22 January 2021

Rugby Borough Council plans to carry out a range of improvements to the flood defences off Boughton Road, which protect nearby homes from flood water from the River Avon and Clifton Brook.

The work follows consultations with the Environment Agency (EA), which recently redesignated the defences at Butlers Leap from a flood basin to above ground reservoir.

The agency has advised the council to remove all vegetation and scrub from the embankments at Butlers Leap, while removing a number of self-set willow trees which have grown in the channel between the brook and river.

Cllr Howard Roberts, Rugby Borough Council portfolio holder for environment and public realm, said: "The flooding at Butlers Leap just before Christmas was a timely reminder of the important role the defences play in protecting nearby homes from the River Avon during periods of heavy rainfall.

"After speaking with the Environment Agency and consulting a specialist engineer, we hope this work reassures residents the flood defences at Butlers Leap can continue to protect homes in the future."

Work at Butlers Leap looks set to start on Monday (25 January), weather permitting.

Cllr Jim Ellis, ward councillor for Newbold and Brownsover, welcomed the move to bolster the flood defences.

"The flooding over Christmas caused a great deal of concern for residents and I received many messages on social media, and spent time discussing the issue with the Environment Agency," Cllr Ellis said.

"This work is a positive intervention by both the council and the agency."