RESIDENTS in Kennington are excited about £1m plans to prevent flooding in the village.

A consultation was held at Kennington Village Hall ahead of the scheme to improve drainage and the sewer system in the village next month.

Thames Water will build a 900-metre surface water sewer to take water away from Kennington Road and will clear silt and debris from the current drainage pond.

Among those attending the consultation on Wednesday were Charles and Anne Russell.

Mrs Russell, 84, said: “If it has to be done, it has to be done. We live further up the hill but some people lower down have had big problems with flooding.

“The road gets completely flooded sometimes when it has been very wet, which it has been this year.

“I think this whole scheme is a good idea.”

The work, which is being carried out in partnership with the Environment Agency and Network Rail , will also prevent flooding affecting the railway line between Oxford and London.

Oxfordshire County Council , Oxford City Council and Vale of White Horse Dstrict Council have all also been involved.

Construction work begins late next month and is due to finish in January.

It will involve the closure of Kennington Road near Upper Road for a week starting on October 29. A minibus link will be provided for residents to get to their normal bus services.

Thames Water spokesman Rachel Groves said the disruption had been timed to coincide with school half-term.

Resident John Bomford, 61, said: “My main concern was as a bus user, but that has been well explained.

“A couple of winters ago the buses had to make major detours when the road flooded so it’s nice that something is being done about it.

“It’s good to know in advance.”

Abingdon resident Marjorie Steed added: “I thought the work would take a lot longer but the whole disruption looks like it will only take a week. I go to the clinic here a lot so that is reassuring.”

Kennington resident Anne Stark said: “I’m very impressed Thames Water is taking so much trouble to let us know what is happening.

“I know a lot of people have had difficulty with water flooding into their gardens and houses. It needs doing.”

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.”