BBC News
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image captionSurrey was hit by devastating floods in 2014 as the Thames burst its banks
Planned defences for thousands of properties that were hit by devastating floods seven years ago when the Thames burst its banks have moved forward.
The government has approved a business case for the £500m River Thames Scheme with detailed planning work to begin.
A statement from the River Thames Scheme partnership said it would reduce the risk for 11,000 homes and 1,600 businesses in Surrey and London.
However, part of the scheme covering Berkshire is no longer going ahead.
The statement said two new flood channels would be built alongside the Thames to protect Hythe End, Egham, Staines, Chertsey, Shepperton, Weybridge, Sunbury, Molesey, Thames Ditton, Kingston and Teddington - but a third channel in Berkshire was no longer being taken forward.