Time to have a say on draft strategy for water management

Tom Dainty, Shropshire Council deputy cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, with Shropshire Council deputy leader Alex Wagner at the SVWMS drop-in event at Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme has now concluded its latest programme of nine public drop‑in events across the upper Severn catchment, with the final sessions held in Llanfyllin and Llanidloes.

Both events mirrored those already held in Powys and Shropshire and gave residents, landowners and community groups the opportunity to look through the emerging water management information, speak with members of the project team, and share their experiences and opinions.

Attendees used all the sessions to ask questions and offer practical insights that will contribute to the shaping of the developing draft strategy which will be open to scrutiny at the final round of consultation later this year.

Tom Dainty, Shropshire Council Cabinet deputy Cabinet member with responsibility for flooding thanked people for taking the time to come along to the county’s sessions and for their continued interest in the scheme, saying:-

“As Shropshire Council is one of the strategic partners in the SVWMS, it was encouraging to see so many people engaging with the work taking place.

“I’d like to thank everyone for their interest in the scheme and the progress so far, and I urge people to stay involved as we move toward the development of the draft strategy and the statutory consultation later this year.”

Although the in‑person events have now finished, there is still an opportunity for anyone with an interest in the scheme to have their say. The online consultation remains open until 11 March.

Feedback from all nine sessions will help inform the next phase of work as the draft water management strategy continues to take shape ahead of further consultation later in 2026.

About the SVWMS: The SVWMS is a cross-border initiative led by the Environment Agency, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council, and Shropshire Council, and funded by Defra. Its aim is to develop a holistic water management strategy for the upper Severn, which could serve as a model for similar projects nationwide.