Bewdley flood warning downgraded as new defence work to start next year
The flood warning at Bewdley has been downgraded - as it was revealed that work will swing into action next year on multi-million pound new defences.
The major incident in Worcestershire was stood down on Thursday evening as the 'danger to life' alert was changed to one of 32 'regular' flood warnings in place across the country, with water levels on the River Severn continuing to fall.
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow visited Bewdley on Thursday to see the damage done after flood waters once again breached temporary barriers in the riverside town.
And she said work will begin next year on promised £6.2 million permanent barriers at the notorious Beales Corner, which has borne the brunt of the flooding.
Ms Pow told the Express & Star: "I was out and about in Bewdley, seeing how the flood defences have stood up and they have stood up extremely well.
"They've protected around 140 properties, so it's worked extremely well and it's credit to the amazing teams here and those who are manning the barriers day by day. It's a tremendous example of joint-working to help keep people safe.
"People are just so grateful they are being kept safe and a huge thanks has to go to the Environment Agency who've worked around the clock do to this at the right time, and to get it up during Storm Eunice.
"One of the areas has been flooded, the Beales Corner area, and I've been over there and obviously my heart goes out to people who've had their homes flooded.
"The good news is, of course, is they know by next year the new scheme (for permanent flood barriers) will be under way."
Communities all along the River Severn have suffered serious flooding for the third year in a row, prompting calls for a long-term solution from the Government.
The minister, who visited the town after flooding in 2020, said the Government would deliver on the £6.2 million scheme as she praised Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier for his work in championing the fight.
"I came in 2020 and saw it flooded and I escalated it. It's very complicated (to install the demountable barriers) and definitely not straightforward. It takes time to sort out all the issues there and what kind the barriers will be – that's so important for tourism.
"Work will start next year so in the very near future, so they (residents) will be able to go on holiday and be confident about their homes not flooding."
The Taunton Deane MP added a representative from the Environment Agency said people had been coming out of their homes with food and hot drinks because they "genuinely are heroes".
Water levels peaked at 5.34 metres on Wednesday – 30 centimetres below the record registered in November 2000 – after dozens of people were evacuated.
Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier described the situation in the town as heartbreaking but stressed installing flood defences must not be rushed.
He said: "I want the Environment Agency to get it right first time, and putting them under pressure, and putting speed over durability, is not the way to do it.
"We have to let them have the time and space to do what they need to do. We're going to get this right first time and end people's misery."
