A BLUEPRINT of work to safeguard the Cotswolds from future flooding catastrophes has been published this week.

The second stage of Cotswold District Council's report into last summer's flooding on July 20 identifies the improvements and repairs needed to land drainage that could be carried out in each town or parish in the Cotswolds.

The document, drawn up by Hyder Consulting and funded by CDC, follows an initial report published in February naming the 20 most affected settlements in the district.

Around 1,150 properties in 79 towns and villages across the Cotswold district's 450 square miles were affected by last July's floods.

The report recommended CDC increases its support to towns and parishes to help foster self-help programmes.

It said: "With climate change likely to increase the intensity of rainfall in the future it is imperative that CDC be both a support and guide to the local community as well as enabling mitigation works to improve the districts resilience to flooding."

CDC will now be inviting town and parish council representatives from the 20 worst affected areas to discuss the recommendations.

Cllr Clive Bennett, portfolio holder for Safe and Strong Communities, said: "We now have a blueprint for the future of increased flood resilience in the Cotswolds.

"It is important to stress that this is a long-term plan and the responsibility to deliver it lies with a number of different agencies.

"CDC has invested part of its Flood Recovery Grant to fund this review so that the bigger picture can be seen and hopefully acted upon by all the organisations and individuals involved.

"We must not underestimate the amount of work required."

Consultants from Hyder visited each of the 20 settlements to investigate potential improvements and discuss the flooding history with residents and representatives of town and parish councils. Talks were then held with the Environment Agency, Gloucestershire County Council and CDC.

Cllr Bennett added: "Hyder has worked very closely with our partner agencies to agree the identified priorities. Everyone is now keen to get on with the next stage - the practical work on the ground."

Both stages of the Hyder report can be found online at www.cotswold.gov.uk