A £3MILLION cash injection has been pledged to tackle the threat of flooding in south Essex over the next five years.

County Hall has drawn up a list of 29 places to be given funding, including parts of Basildon, Thundersley and Rochford.

About £1.8million has been set aside to improve drainage and flooding issues around Hockley in an area where many homes at risk can benefit from flood prevention work.

Keith Hudson, deputy leader of Rochford District Council, said: “The devastation caused by flooding in 2013 affected so many of our residents that the Flood Forum was established to ensure all appropriate authorities, Anglia Water, Essex County Council, the Environment Agency, the fire service and ourselves met regularly.

“From small acorns mighty oaks do grow and, thanks to the determination and hard work undertaken by all concerned, we have managed to resolve many localised flooding problems and now embark on one of the most significant endeavours to date. This particular programme is going to make a huge difference to residents and the detailed design work is already under way.”

Sunnymede, in Billericay, has been allocated £380,000 and named as a priority scheme, alongside East Thundersley, which has been given £400,000.

Castle View Road is the only road which has been allocated funding on Canvey, but councils and water companies have applied for £25million in Government funding to overhaul the island’s drainage system and protect homes.