Progress made on Severn Stoke flood scheme is 'great to see', says West Worcestershire MP
The Environment Agency have said the multi-million pound project is currently on track to finish ahead of schedule
West Worcestershire's MP has said she knows a village in her constituency will be "very reassured" once a multi-million pound project to better protect it from flooding is complete.
Work on the flood defence scheme in Severn Stoke got underway earlier this year in April, with approximately £5 million coming from the Environment Agency (EA) along with £250,000 also from Worcestershire County Council to help fund the delivery costs.
The area, which has a long history of flooding from the River Severn, is having a flood bank built, new drainage works carried out, and a section of raised road put in where Ham Lane will pass over the flood bank to help, with it initially expected to be finished by this Christmas.
In a recent update though the EA confirmed the dry weather seen this summer had allowed them to get on with it all, and work is currently on course to be all done ahead of schedule in mid-October.
Dame Harriett Baldwin, the MP for West Worcestershire, said she had spent a lot of time pushing for something like this to be created and she's delighted to see it all now moving at pace.
"It's great to see the progress that's being made," she said.
"I've been campaigning forever it seems to get this flood scheme built and it's wonderful to see it is now being built.
"I very much thank the Environment Agency and those involved for getting it delivered and I know the village will be very reassured by the fact that when the wet weather does come again that they will be protected."
The EA said at the time when the work started the community has been "severely impacted" during recent winters, and the scheme will help reduce flood risk.