Northampton now boasts some of the best flood defences in the UK following a major scheme delivered by WNDC, the Homes and Communities Agency and the Environment Agency.

Work completed in 2008 on the Upton Flood Attenuation works, which are safeguarding Northampton against floods caused by the River Nene breaking it banks. The town has suffered from major flooding in the past, resulting in fatalities in 1998. Now, the town is safer than ever before and well prepared for new development following the works.

WNDC committed over £7 million to the project, which has created an area where water can be diverted from the River and safely held, otherwise known as attenuated. Once the flood peak has passed, the water can be released in a controlled fashion, reducing the danger of floods down stream.

There are several elements to this intelligent scheme, ranging from road bridges to river embankments. Key features include a series of flood walls along the river, helping to create an area where up to 1.2million cubic metres of water can be retained.

Customised floodgates slowly allow water back into the river, while re-profiled river banks improve the flow of water. Alongside this, the Cross Valley Link Road has been constructed so it complements and contributed to the flood defence measures.