WEST WORCESTERSHIRE MP Dame Harriett Baldwin has confirmed that the long-awaited construction work can press on this Spring after the funding was secured and a contractor confirmed to do the work.
The MP is still chasing Natural England chief executive Marian Spain to ensure that the agency confirms that the site is still clear of newts but Griffiths, which will carry out the work, has been signed up to lead the project.
Last week, Dame Harriett hosted a meeting with landowners to discuss the details of allowing the work to proceed and Flooding Minister Emma Hardy wrote to the MP this week confirming that the funding for the scheme has been allocated.
Dame Harriett said: “With the arrival of slightly warmer weather, and the land drying out, I am hopeful that the work to prepare the site can now get underway at Severn Stoke with the consent of the community and the land-owners.
“I am optimistic that all the pieces are coming into place to allow this scheme to get underway with the construction of the bund and a small road raising project started soon.
“There have been several false dawns with this project, but I keep working to identify and overcome any hurdles which may delay this vital scheme protecting homes, businesses, the historic church and the A38.
“All eyes are now on Natural England to grant their permissions to start work and there will be some archaeological work to be carried out but the Environment Agency tells me it is confident that we will be standing on a newly constructed flood defence later this year.”
