Multi-agency working is coming up trumps with the announcement of new flood measures in Essex by the Essex Flood Partnership Board.

The board met this week to discuss continued multi-agency working in Essex including the year one programme of Essex County Council's five year £19 million capital programme, funded projects from winter flood incidents in 2013/14 and surface water schemes being addressed by Essex Highways.

Chairman of the Essex Flood Partnership Board and County Councillor Roger Hirst, Cabinet Member for Customer Services, Libraries, Planning and the Environment said: “By working together, we are already showing progress.

"We know we are starting with a long backlog.

"We are getting to grips with it.

“Working together with partners we can reduce the threat of flooding to our homes and protect our local economy.”

Jonathan Glerum from Anglian Water said: "We don't know what the issues are until we get flood problems. There is a big challenge for us.

"By sharing information, such as between Essex Highways and ourselves, we have made significant progress since last year."

Identifying flood threats and defects have proved to be half the challenge in reducing the risk of flooding. Often watercourses, such as rivers, streams, ditches and drains, have been built on over time and hidden from view.

A lot of sewers still link in with these watercourses meaning that they need to be functioning to full capacity during times of heavy rainfall.

The Essex Flood Partnership Board consists of representatives from Essex County Council, Essex local authorities, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Anglian Water, and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.

To find out more about how to report flooding issues in Essex or to find out more about the threat of flooding please visit www.essex.gov.uk/flooding.