GLOUCESTERSHIRE County Council's cabinet has approved its Local Flood Risk Management Strategy.

Following the devastating flooding in the county in 2007, the severe floods in 2012 and now once again with flood alerts currently in place in parts of Gloucestershire, flood risk is uppermost in many people’s minds.

The council, which has invested £48 million into flood management and prevention since 2007, has worked with its partners including district councils, water companies, Environment Agency and Internal Drainage Board to produce the local strategy.

The six key strategic objectives are to improve our understanding of local flood risk, put in place plans to manage these risks, avoid inappropriate development and ensure new development does not increase flooding elsewhere.

Other objectives are to increase public awareness of flooding and encourage local communities to take action, ensure close partnership working and co-ordination with other risk management authorities in Gloucestershire and support and response to and recovery from flooding incidents.

Councillor Vernon Smith, cabinet member for highways and flood at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “It is vital that we work together with organisations and local communities to better understand and manage flood risk.

"Flooding cannot be wholly prevented, although its impacts can be reduced through investment and good planning.”

The local strategy was subject to public consultation and changes were made following the feedback that was received.