Bulldozers will move into Marlow this month as the construction of new flood walls finally gets underway ahead of the town’s £8 million flood protection plan.

The plans to shield Marlovians from a repeat of the devastating floods in 2014 are now taking shape more than five years after they were approved, and the Environment Agency is expected to start advanced work in one of the town’s prettiest green spaces in September.

Two concrete and brick flood walls between 1.5 metres and two metres in height will be created - one adjacent to the towpath between Gossmore recreation ground and Pergola field and the other on the highway ditch at the back of Firview Close.

The work is due to be finished by December and the towpath near Gossmore recreation ground will be closed, but the advanced works will mean the EA can effectively use temporary defence barriers to reduce the risk of flooding in the town until the main scheme can be finished.

Ahead of the long-awaited advanced work, EA experts will open their doors to residents on September 8 in a bid to allay concerns about how their homes will be protected in future. 

The exhibition, at Liston Hall, will feature information displays and specialists will be on hand to answer questions.

The Marlow Society, who previously felt like they had been “kept in the dark” over the progress of the plans say any attempt to give residents more information about the plans are welcomed.

Martin Blunkell, chairman of the society, said: “We want to wait and see what comes out of this drop-in, but it’s great that they are communicating with us.”

The EA also wants to hear how Marlovians would like to be kept up-to-date with progress and there will be a chance to sign up to a distribution list at the drop-in, which will run from 4pm until 7.30pm.

David Bedlington, area flood and coastal risk manager for the Environment Agency said: “I am delighted that the advanced works for the flood defences in Marlow are able to start this year. One flood wall will replace timber fences with a permanent and impermeable wall, along the boundaries of two residential properties.

“The second flood wall will prevent the River Thames from backing up along the highway ditch near the A404. I look forward to meeting members from the local community on September 8.”

Meanwhile, the EA is continuing with ecological surveys and Pound Lane and Lower Pound Lane until autumn this year and finalising designs and discussing use of land with different landowners.