MULTI-million pound proposals to improve flood defences in Romsey are on display until tomorrow.

Hampshire County Council, the Environment Agency and Test Valley Borough Council are inviting residents to find out more about the £6million plans at an exhibition in Crosfield Hall.

The project, which is scheduled to get underway in May, includes a number of measures designed to prevent a repeat of the flooding which hit homes and businesses across Romsey nearly four years ago.

It is estimated to cost almost £6.2 million and aims to better protect nearly 200 homes around the town by improving defences in Middlebridge Street, Winchester Road, Mainstone and on the River Test.

The measures include managing the water flow on the river and optimising the use of the flood plain through a permanent control structure at the ‘cat flap’, where a temporary structure was installed during the previous flooding.

Councillor Rob Humby, member for environment and transport at the county council, said: “Since the severe winter of 2013/14, we’ve been working with our partners to come up with a package of measures to help mitigate the impact of flooding in Romsey in the future. This has included securing a financial contribution of £1.35 million towards the improvements.

“We are now inviting local businesses and residents to come and have a look at the plans, and talk to the project team in more detail next week so they can find out more.”

The county council says it aims to fund the measures through the combination of a Flood Defence grant, worth more than £2.5 million, plus county council funds worth £1.35 million and Test Valley Borough Council funds of £250,000.

A further £1.75 million in funding is still be sought for the scheme, with a business case being submitted to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

David Martin, flood and coastal risk team leader at the Environment Agency, added: “The Environment Agency is committed to reducing the flood risk in Romsey and we have been leading on work with Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council to develop a project to make this possible.

“The project represents a significant investment in infrastructure for the town and will cost over £4m. We are supporting the project with £1.7m of government funding, which will be combined with £807,000 in Local Levy from the Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and the investments from Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council. We expect to start work on the ground in spring 2018.”

Deputy leader of Test Valley Borough Council, Cllr Nick Adams-King, said: “Without local funding it would not have been possible for it to proceed.”

The public exhibition will be open on October 13 (4pm-8pm) and 14 (10am-1pm).