MORE than 1,500 homes in West Worcestershire are at risk from flooding, new figures have revealed.
The Environment Agency data analysed by Friends of the Earth shows within MP Harriett Baldwin’s constituency, which includes Malvern and Evesham, there are 1,689 at risk, with 553 in the ‘significant’ risk category.
It comes after severe flooding which affected areas in Worcestershire in recent weeks.
Chris Crean, West Midlands FoE campaigner, said: “Flooding is devastating for anyone that is affected by it and as a country we must do much more to prepare for the impacts of climate change. Without proper investment in flood defences, hundreds of thousands more homes could be put at risk of flooding.
“Prevention is better than cure, so it’s also vital that the Government redouble efforts to stop climate change becoming worse.”
He added the organisation was urging MPs to support more investment to make homes energy efficient and reducing the use of fossil fuels.
Nathan Burlton, chair of Transition Town Malvern Hills, said: “The recent flooding is a sign of things to come, as our climate gets less predictable. It’s time to get serious about tackling the cause by reducing our carbon emissions.
“To help tackle the flooding itself, our nation’s policy of dealing with water needs to be overhauled. We need to slow water down, keeping it where it falls for as long as possible. New developments should have porous surfaces for roads, driveways and pavements. Rain gardens and swales need to be created. Green roofs and living walls need to be used too which have the added bonus of helping to cool urban areas.”
Mrs Baldwin said since she had been elected four years ago, £9million had been spent on permanent flood defence schemes protecting hundreds of homes across her constituency.
“Worcestershire County Council has also spent £16 million since 2007. No-one could be more committed than I am to the wise investment of capital in flood defences in our area.
“Across the country an additional £2 billion has been identified by the Government to pay for future schemes.
“I will continue to lobby for more protection for areas such as Tenbury and Severn Stoke and am helping the few homes and businesses that are still unprotected with property-level protection.”
