Six cottages among the buildings most vulnerable to flooding in Colchester are finally to receive permanent protection.

The properties along Riverside, next to North Bridge, face directly on to the River Colne and have had to rely on sandbags when the river bursts its banks.

The most recent floods in October swamped the cottages, causing thousands of pounds of damage to residents' property.

But on Friday, the Environment Agency's local flood defence committee for Essex agreed to provide £8,000 to extend the flood wall that already exists on that side of the river along Riverside.

When the comprehensive flood protection scheme for Colchester was established between 1967 and 1986, the cottages were omitted from the scheme at the request of the then residents. They were concerned a flood wall in front of their properties would interrupt their view of the river.

But increasingly severe and frequent flooding in recent years has made the current owners think very differently.

Published Tuesday January 15, 2002