Agencies ensure Shrewsbury is open for business during floods

Shropshire Council, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water worked successfully together to help reduce the effect of the recent floods in Shrewsbury, and to ensure that the town remained ‘open for business’.

Working to the agreed Joint Flood Action Plan for the town, the three organisations have various co-ordinated roles to ensure that damage, danger and disruption are minimised when a flood occurs, with public safety being paramount. Work to repair Ludford Bridge in Ludlow has started today (Monday 21 February 2011).

The Action Plan details what needs to happen, and who should do it, when the River Severn reaches different levels at the gauge on the Welsh Bridge.

Actions carried out by the three organisations under the plan include closing car parks, erecting flood defence barriers, diverting traffic, liaison with bus companies regarding route alteration and the status of the main bus station, pumping of surface water sewers, and keeping the public informed.

The recovery operation following the receding of floodwaters involves 24-hour monitoring to ensure that roads can be re-opened as quickly as possible.

Councillor Martin Taylor-Smith, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for transport
and IT, said:

“Ensuring that Shrewsbury stayed open for business during the recent floods was a top priority for the council and our partners, and I’m pleased that all three organisations worked so hard, and so well, to achieve this.”

Shropshire Council, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water Ltd, as well as Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, are all partners in the recently formed Shropshire Local Flood Risk Management Board.