MORE than £2 million has been secured to make a long-awaited flood scheme in Northway and Marston a reality.

If approved, the flood protection scheme would protect 110 properties in the area.

Following severe floods in 2007 and 2012 Oxford City Council held a consultation with residents to look at how to protect the community.

The scheme has long been in the pipeline but £600,000 from Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and more than £1.5 million Government funding now means that work could start by the end of next year.

Betty Fletcher, 71, of Stockleys Road, Northway, has seen flood water come up to her ground-floor balcony several times in recent years, most notably in February 2012.

She hoped the funding would put an end to her turmoil.

She said: “I do live in fear every time there’s a downpour – I wonder whether the water will come up to the house again.

“Hopefully this will help us out and protect our homes but I’m not holding my breath just yet.”

Peasmoor Brook would be widened and a wetland reserve created to use as temporary flood storage and natural bunds and dwarf walls would also be installed.

Mrs Fletcher said poor drainage had made things worse and should be sorted as part of the scheme.

Thames Water has been undertaking a review of Oxford’s sewers and approached Northway and Marston residents as part of it.

She said: “The funding announcement is good news but there’s a lot of work to be done.

“We have had bad drainage problems and we need new pipes or maybe even a new sewage system.”

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Today the council is expected to announce that funding has been secured and that its executive board could approve the scheme next month.

Tessa Hennessy, who lives on Hugh Allen Crescent, narrowly avoided the floods herself but said the whole community had been affected.

She said: “I’m pleased something is finally being done – it has been a long wait for the community since the floods of 2007.

“We are slightly above the floodplain but it has affected the whole community – the bottom of Ferry Road has often been flooded with filthy sewage water.”

City council executive board member for climate change John Tanner said: “Being flooded out of your home is nothing short of a nightmare.

“I am delighted that this funding has been secured so that we can bring relief to residents.”

An open forum will take place for members of the public to learn more about the scheme tomorrow in Oxford Town Hall from 7pm–9pm.