HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds will be spent helping to protect homes in Wickford from flooding following heavy rain last summer.

Anglian Water will be spending £400,000 to protect homes in the Cranfield Park area of the town, which were badly affected by heavy downpours.

As part of the work, which will begin from today, the water firm will install more than 350 metres of new larger capacity drains and a large storage tank on land close to the A127.

The works will mean, however, the junction of Cranfield Park Road with the northbound A127 will be closed for around two weeks from today.

The main A127 will not be affected in any way by the work, but traffic looking to join the A127 at Cranfield Park Road will be diverted along the A132 and on to the A127.

Antony Innes, from Anglian Water, said: “Flooding of any kind is understandably devastating for those affected, which is why we’re constantly working to maintain and improve our drains and sewers across the region.

“The project in Wickford is designed to reduce the risk of flooding in the Cranfield Park area by increasing capacity in our network. This will reduce the chances of drains and pipes becoming overwhelmed at times of heavy rain.

“Between now and spring 2015 we have plans to invest more than £3million in similar schemes across Essex to reduce the risk of flooding to homes.

“This is on top of our rolling programme of maintenance and improvement work across the region.”

Most of the work will be carried out in fields adjacent to Cranfield Park Road.

Mr Innes added: “We know this part of the work will be disruptive and we’re sorry for that. Our engineers will be doing what they can to keep disruption to a minimum and completing this section of work as quickly as we can.

“Hopefully, road users will understand the work is taking place to benefit homes in the local area.”