Bewdley flood defence scheme completed to protect town from River Severn
The £10million Beales Corner scheme will benefit 50 properties and keep the town open
A major scheme to install permanent flood defences in Bewdley, protecting homes and businesses, has been completed.
The Environment Agency said the Beales Corner Flood Risk Management Scheme will benefit 50 properties, and keep key roads in the town dry at times of flood.
Bewdley has experienced repeated flooding in recent years, the latest incident in 2022, when a number of homes and businesses were impacted.
The 300-metre flood defence system runs from Pleasant Harbour House to Millside Court. It includes flood walls, gates and demountable barriers like Severnside.
When flooding is predicted, trained Environment Agency teams will close flood gates and put up the demountable barriers to prevent floodwater from the Severn entering the area.
Glass panels have been fitted to sections of the flood wall to maintain uninterrupted views of the town, whilst providing essential protection.
Temporary barriers have previously been used in Bewdley, but took up to 12 hours to fully install.
Anthony Perry, West Midlands Operations Manager at the Environment Agency, said:
“We are thrilled that the much-needed flood risk management scheme at Beales Corner is operationally complete. Environment Agency flood risk teams have worked closely with residents in the town for decades.
“This new scheme will improve the lives for many people in the town, and it is comforting to know that future generations won’t have to live with the negative flood impacts those in the past have suffered.”
Councillor Chris Rogers, Wyre Forest District Council’s cabinet member for Housing, Health and Wellbeing with responsibility for Water Management said:
“It is fantastic to see this important scheme completed, which means residents and businesses in Wribbenhall will enjoy a similar level of protection to Bewdley.
“The District Council has been pleased throughout to support the Environment Agency’s scheme, including granting planning permission in February 2023. We are grateful to local businesses and residents for their understanding during the disruption to traffic flows during the works.”
Mark Garnier, Member of Parliament for Wyre Forest, said:
“After two long years of disruption from works, but following many decades of misery for residents, it is a delight that we will be reaching completion of the flood defence works at Beales Corner in Bewdley. A huge amount of effort has gone into getting this done. The result? That both sides of the Severn in Bewdley will be protected from flooding, causing less disruption for our town.”