CALLS have come from West Worcestershire MP for the Environment Agency to press on with the proposed scheme at Severn Stoke to stop the village from flooding.
The proposal to build a permanent flood defence scheme has been approved by the Environment Agency meaning work can start protecting homes, the pub and church and the busy A38.
Ms Baldwin met with the Environment Agency team, Worcestershire County Council, Malvern Hills District Council and other stakeholders in the spring to make sure that the scheme would be able to proceed this year.
And now she has called for the build to get started as quickly as possible to take advantage of materials allocated from the building of the Carrington Road bridge doubling.
She said: “I am pleased the Environment Agency has approved its business case, meaning that the scheme can proceed, but now is the time for action and I am eager to see the soil saved from other major engineering projects to be moved to Severn Stoke.
“This whole scheme has only been made affordable because of the access to these materials. We simply have to get going before the winter is upon us and the weather gets worse.
“I’ve been working with local people and the Environment Agency for over a decade and it is good to see another hurdle overcome.
“Villagers have been extraordinarily patient and I really hope that the project team is able to press on quickly to get the scheme underway and completed as quickly as possible.”
