Relief as River Severn water levels fall

Residents living near the River Severn in Bewdley were today breathing a sigh of relief as water levels began to fall after reaching almost 14ft overnight.

Environment Agency officials installed extra defences in Severnside South and Beales Corner yesterday afternoon as a precaution to protect homes and businesses.

Barriers were set up in Severnside North over the weekend in preparation for the surging water reaching the town.

Water levels are still being monitored constantly by agency experts and they remained high this morning with a flood warning still in place for the town.

There are 11 flood warnings in place for the Midlands including one for the River Severn including the Lickhill, Lincomb and Riverlands areas of Stourport.

Yesterday evening the river had peaked in Bridgnorth at 14 ft before the surging waters reached Bewdley. Bewdley Residents' Flood Committee spokeswoman Gill Holland said people in the town were hoping water levels would get back to normal soon.

"We have had a lot of Environment Agency staff down here trying to erect the barriers along the affected sections of the river. People who have seen a lot of floods are just delighted that we are in a position where their homes and businesses could be defended.

"But there are other people who maybe live further away and aren't affected who feel there is a lot of disruption caused as roads by the river are often blocked meaning cars cannot drive down there.

"Hopefully things clear up soon because we haven't been having the rain around here and all this has just been triggered by the weather in Wales," she said.

In November 2000, Bewdley suffered serious flooding and 140 properties were affected.

After the flood, the Environment Agency designed a £7million scheme for barriers along Severnside North and South, which were both up and running in 2005.

Elsewhere today, five flood warnings are in place on the River Severn in Shropshire, but water levels have peaked in some areas.

Three warnings apply to Bridgnorth, Hampton Loade and Highley and Quatford.

The others relate to Ironbridge and Jackfield including Coalport and the Showground, and The Quarry, Shrewsbury.