Storms bring more chaos as flooding hits Stourport
Britain may have to choose whether it wants to save 'town or country' from future flooding because it is too costly to defend both, the chairman of the Environment Agency said today as householders were told to brace themselves for further wind and rain.
His warning comes after storms brought more chaos to waterlogged communities across Britain at the weekend. In the West Midlands a man had to be rescued from the edge of a fast-flowing river, while car parks and this children's play area were flooded following the downpours.
Ambulance crews managed to pull a man to safety who had been stranded at the edge of a stretch of river at the back of the Technical College, Deansway, Worcester, at 1am yesterday.
After being rescued, he was given first aid and taken to Worcester Hospital for treatment. Flood barriers have already been put in place on the River Severn following a rise in water levels there and temporary flood defences are in place in Bewdley.
In Stourport, its lower car parks off Martins Way have been forced to close after being flooded.
The riverside children's play area is also covered with water, and its paddling pool is below the water level too.
Lord Smith, chairman of the Environment Agency, said 'difficult choices' would have to be made over what to protect because 'there is no bottomless purse' to pay for defences.
His warning comes as it emerged victims of the flooding are having to pay up to 41p a minute to call a government helpline for advice.
