Residents in one of Colchester's most flood-threatened areas will soon be able to ditch their sandbags.

People in properties on Riverside Walk, next to North Bridge, had to resort to this basic line of defence when the River Colne bursts its banks in October.

But their homes were inundated, and thousands of pounds of damage was caused.

Work on a 0.7m-high wall, costing £8,000, is due to start this month, and could last three weeks.

Running along the front of the cottages, it will join up with the existing flood defence bank.

The scheme has been welcomed by residents. One of them Josephine Baird Murray who will not be able to use her ground-floor rooms until April, said: "We are all very happy about it. It is a terrific relief."

The Environment Agency, which is carrying out the scheme, is awaiting a final thumbs-up from Colchester Council.

Published Tuesday, March 5, 2002