A MULTI-MILLION pound drainage scheme designed to help prevent rainwater floods ravaging Great Yarmouth was officially opened today. The �4.7m upgrade, first announced by Anglian Water in 2008, is based on Northgate Street, which saw some of the worst scenes of devastation in 2006 after six months' worth of rain fell in a few hours.

A MULTI-MILLION pound drainage scheme designed to help prevent rainwater floods ravaging Great Yarmouth was officially opened today.

The �4.7m upgrade, first announced by Anglian Water in 2008, is based on Northgate Street, which saw some of the worst scenes of devastation in 2006 after six months' worth of rain fell in a few hours.

Included in the works are a new pumping station, 850-cubic metre underground storage tank and a new kilometre-long sewer.

Among those attending was Tony Wright MP, who said: “After many years of suffering the devastating effects of flooding in Great Yarmouth I'm really pleased that Anglian Water has responded by making a significant investment which has no doubt brought piece of mind to the residents and businesses in the Northgate street area.”

The new drainage system is the biggest built by Anglian Water in the area, and is designed to withstand a one in 90 year storm, rather than the one in a 30 year storm standard.

Also present was Head of Communications for Anglia Water Andrew Mackintosh, who added that those living down Northgate Street now had the best protection from rainwater flooding of anyone living in the East of England.