MP’s frustration over flood defences

The Environment Agency is under pressure to build flood defences in Tenbury Wells, according to the town’s MP.

Dame Harriett Baldwin says she is still lobbying for work to start on protection schemes but admitted: “I thought it would be done by now.”

Tenbury’s historic Pump Rooms and Regal Cinema are set to be without flood insurance from October because insurance companies such as Zurich are refusing to provide cover.

And businesses without flood cover have said they are leaving the town centre.

The West Worcestershire MP said: “I’ve made the point to Zurich that the flood wall that collapsed and caused the Pump Rooms to flood has been re-built and there is no real change in the circumstances to validate their decision.

“I am awaiting their response. I have also raised Tenbury’s case in Treasury Select Committee and with ministers.”

The Environment Agency paused plans for a wider flood defence scheme for Tenbury in March, but said it would pay for measures to protect individual properties from flooding, including the town council’s civic buildings.

“The pressure is now on the Environment Agency to deliver on its pledge to the town to provide specific flood protection schemes for each property which qualifies,” said Dame Harriett.

“Local people have shared their frustrations with me about the time it has taken to get this work up and running. I thought it would be done by now.

“Tenbury Wells will flood again, and it could not be more important that while we continue to look for full funding for the wider flood defence scheme.

“Now that the Bewdley flood scheme is complete, we know that the Environment Agency has the capacity to turn its attention to Tenbury Wells.”

The Environment Agency said it is in the process of carrying out property flood resilience surveys.

A spokesperson said: “We understand the local community’s concern about the winter period and are prioritising measures to reduce flood risk in Tenbury, including the delivery of Property Flood Resilience and Natural Flood Management initiatives.

“These offer effective and sustainable solutions to boost resilience to flooding.

“We remain committed to working with the communities to ensure they are better prepared for flooding and will continue to explore opportunities for larger schemes as funding becomes available.”