New flood partnership group announce £500,000 secured for Shifnal

Shropshire Council, the Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water, as well as a number of housing developers, have attended recent meetings with the new Shifnal Flood Partnership Group.

The Group, set up and supported with the assistance of the National Flood Forum, aims to identify local issues and work with organisations and agencies to reduce the risks of flooding, and support people affected.

By working positively together, the Shifnal Flood Partnership Group has been able to talk openly with organisations about the flooding issues which affect Shifnal, and is actively learning about the technical aspects of flood risk management.

The Shifnal Flood Partnership Group has been told that funding has been allocated to Shifnal as part of the Government’s six year flood risk management programme.  A total of £532,000 is indicatively allocated to Shifnal, to help manage flood risk to 87 properties.  Funding is programmed to be available from 2018 onwards, and Shropshire Council, Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water will work with the Shifnal Flood Partnership Group and the wider community to consider how best to allocate the money.

Mal Price, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member responsible for flood risk management, said:

“Working in partnership with the community and other organisations is key to managing flood risk.   It is great to see the formation of a community group that wants to work for the wider benefit of the town of Shifnal.  We look forward to working positively together over the coming years.”

Bob Haddon, Chair of the Shifnal Flood Partnership Group, said:

“This is fantastic news; we are so pleased about the positive support that the organisations are giving us.  We also welcome the organisations ensuring that how the money allocated is spent, meets with grassroots community support and allows those at risk of flooding in Shifnal to be a part of that process.”

More information about the Shifnal Flood Partnership Group and how to get involved is available at, www.sfpg.btck.co.uk.