PLANS for a £1m scheme to prevent flooding in Kennington will go on show to the public this week.

Thames Water will start four months of work to improve drainage and the sewer system in the village next month.

It will build a 900m surface water sewer to take water away from Kennington Road and will clear silt and debris from the current drainage pond.

Kennington Road and Upper Road have both seen sewers backing up during heavy rain in recent years.

Thames Water head of programme delivery Andrew Popple said: “Flooding is utterly miserable and even if it only lasts a few hours, the damage, disruption and distress can last for months. We are committed to do everything we can to protect our customers.”

The company will hold a drop-in session between 1pm and 5.30pm tomorrow at Kennington Village Hall.

Residents can look at plans for the work and raise any concerns.

Mr Popple said: “Hearing from the local community about the work we are about to do is really important to us.

“This drop-in is about giving people the information they need from us to help them get on with their daily lives while we do this essential, but disruptive work.”

The work will also prevent flooding affecting the railway line between Oxford and London.

Thames Water said the job would involve the closure of Kennington Road near Upper Road for a week starting on October 29. The company will provide a mini bus for residents to get to the number 35 bus.

Construction work will finish in January, with landscaping of the area completed by summer 2013.