ESSENTIAL flood prevention work is being carried out by contractors in Rayleigh.

Rochford District Council has enlisted diggers to clear tree roots from ditches in Sweyne Park.

The roots have severely blocked the ditches, reducing their capacity and making the area more liable to flood.

A process of de-silting will also be carried out and screens will be installed to prevent debris blocking the ditches and enabling water to flow freely through them.

This issue is just of a number of areas which have been discussed by the Forum for Surface Water Flooding Issues, set up by the council to find practical solutions for local residents.

Chairman of the forum and leader of the council, Terry Cutmore, said: “I’m pleased to say that the diggers are now at work in Sweyne Park, ensuring that the ditches are cleared and can flow freely.

“I know how important it is to residents that we are taking action wherever we can to prevent flooding, and this work should help to avoid problems in the future.

“We have also created a Forum to ensure that flooding issues remain at the top of the agenda, and I’m delighted that this group has been proving its worth.

“At the last meeting we focused on more than 30 problem areas where we have been working to find out who is responsible for various maintenance works, and ensuring they are completed.

“I know progress has now been made at many of these sites - and we will be expecting a positive update at our next meeting.”