WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin met with the team leading the work at Severn Stoke to build a flood bund to protect the village, including the historic church, the popular local pub and homes.
The visit was the culmination of over a decade of campaigning to secure funding for the scheme and the delivery of a pledge the MP made to the community after the village was hit by serious flooding in 2012.
The scheme features a road raising project and major flood bund and it is expected to be complete at the end of this year.
Dame Harriett said: “The village of Severn Stoke has suffered from major flooding almost every year that I have been MP for West Worcestershire and I have worked with the community to share their concerns and eventually secure full funding for the scheme just after Christmas.
“I’m grateful to the Flooding Minister Emma Hardy MP who granted my request to direct the Environment Agency to deliver this scheme, and I also welcome the efforts of Worcestershire County Council which pledged money to support the road raising project when planning permission was granted.
“It is so pleased to see diggers in the ground and earthworks moving. This project has had many false dawns but I’ve been down to the site and seen the work for myself to confirm that work is actually underway.
“I’m still anxious to see the Environment Agency accelerate the work to deliver individual property flood protection measures in Tenbury Wells and I’m going to keep lobbying to fund the town’s permanent scheme through whatever routes are available.
“Persistence is the key and I am pleased that despite so many hurdles we can act to protect homes and business which flood regularly.”
