Flood defences to be built in Godmanchester
Defences are to be built to protect 500 homes in a Cambridgeshire town on the River Great Ouse that came close to being flooded in 1998.
Defra is to provide 46% of the £11m funds for a flood alleviation scheme in Godmanchester.
Remaining funds will come from a local authority levy and direct contributions from Cambridgeshire County Council and Huntingdonshire District Council.
The scheme aims to protect properties in a town that has no formal defences.
The Environment Agency said the scheme would reduce the risk of flooding from 5% to 1%.
A combination of flood walls and embankments are to be built alongside the river.
Jason Ablewhite, leader of Huntingdonshire District Council, said: "We will make it a priority to commit funding of £175,000."
Initial environmental works will start later in the month, before the bird-nesting season begins, as work will include the removal of trees on the line of the proposed flood defence.
The main construction work will start after Easter and be completed in 2014.