Flood barriers erected in Bewdley after heavy rainfall

The barriers which run along the River Severn in the town were erected over the weekend following heavy rain in the region last week.

Bosses say the barriers will remain in place as a precaution until later this week – with the situation being monitored.

An amber flood alert has been put in place along the River Severn in Worcestershire – which means flooding is "possible".

The Environment Agency said the flood gauge was at 3.28 metres on Monday afternoon. The record was recorded in November 2000, at 5.56 metres.

The highest level forecast in the next 36 hours is 3.44 metres at around 3am on Wednesday. If it rises above 4.20 metres some property flooding may occur in some areas.

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said: "Barriers in Bewdley were erected overnight on Friday into Saturday and will remain in place as a precaution until later this week due to the uncertain forecast.

“They were deployed as part of our response to flood conditions in the region following heavy rain last week.

“Our Area Incident Room is ‘virtually’ open and our staff are continuing to monitor the situation.

“We have operatives out on the ground inspecting defences, clearing screens and taking any preventative action necessary.”

It comes after residents in the town, and nearby Stourport, were left in flooding misery earlier this year. More than 300 homes and businesses across the Wyre Forest district were affected by the flooding in late February.

People were rescued from their homes in February, after the River Severn flower over the flood barriers in Bewdley. While much of Stourport was also left under water as the river breached its banks in the town including the Playland Fun Park and Riverside Amusement Park and Arcade.

For more information visit flood-warning-information.service.gov.uk/warnings