A pilot scheme at Burstwick Drain should decide once and for all whether dredging is effective in tackling flood problems, the Environment Agency has claimed.

Landowners, farmers and residents have argued for years over the need to clear out the region's waterways to helping prevent flooding.

But the agency has always argued the move is too expensive for only a short-term gain.

Now, a project is underway to clear a 1.2 mile (2km) stretch of Burstwick Drain, from Saltend to Hedon, to find out what impact such work has on flood risk.

Diggers are on site scooping up silt and clearing banks, while a small vessel is cutting back vegetation.

Project manager Phil Walker explained: "I am pleased with the progress so far.

"There has been good cooperation with all interested parties in the steering group.

"We know what the engineering tells us, but this will allow us to test it practically.

"If it works great, if not, it gives us something in black and white to tell people why.

"It should tell us how cost effective this method is.

"Whatever approach we take on flood risk management, we need to take people with us."

The scheme is one of six dredging pilots taking place across the country.

Adrian Rushworth is the Agency's national project manager overseeing them all.

He said: "From our findings, we will be able to decide how much work we should carry out on our water courses.

"While what we are doing isn't groundbreaking, it is very important.

"It is testing what practical maintenance work we need to carry out.

"There have been a lot of complaints over our decision not to carry out maintenance on some water courses. This will test our policy.

"Like bobbies on the beat, perhaps being seen to carrying out this work will make people feel more comfortable, regardless of how effective it is."

The work is set to be completed by the end of the month.

The water flows will be monitored before and after the trial and officers will be using historical data, such as topographical surveys, to help assess the results.