A WEEK after being put to the test a new flood defence at Victoria Park has been praised for helping to keep 200 homes safe.

And as the last tree was planted by children from Sir Thomas Boteler CE High School and Latchford St James’ CE primary School the scheme was hailed by community campaigners.

Ken Wormald, chairman of the Victoria Park Resident’s Association, said: “I think it’s proved it’s really needed. If we look at what happened in 1990 and only a couple of weeks ago with the tidal surge it would have caused enormous stress to a lot of resident, a lot who are older people.”

Mark Garratt, Environment Agency flood risk manager, added: “It’s nice to finish this part of the scheme when we had the tidal surge.

“We protected over 200 houses from flooding.

“Flooding is devastating no matter when but when you’re in December and thinking about having people round for Christmas it really is something that could be catastrophic for people.”

Work on the scheme first started in autumn 2012 to install the new flood wall along the park’s border with Knutsford Road as part of a £23million scheme to protect sections of the Mersey.

There were concerns from residents initially when trees were cut down to make way for the works and complaints about noise during the building work.

“There were concerns about the building in the first place and the trees that had to go,” added Mr Wormald. “We had a lot of community meetings with our councillor and the team which helped things.”

The Mayor of Warrington, Clr Peter Carey was on hand to help with the final tree planting before work starts on the second phase in his own Fairfield and Howley ward.

The Mayor added: “It shows that the government and the council have got the concerns of the people in this area upper most in their minds when you consider this scheme has costed £23 million. Not many areas get that cash investment.

“The next phase will go into Fairfield and Howley. I hope that will revitalise the riverside walkway around Kingsway Bridge.”

Work on the second phase will start in January.