Flood defence spending of £2m approved

Storm Daragh left parts of Herefordshire underwater last December

More than £2m is to be spent on protecting "what matters most" to people from flooding, including their homes and businesses, Herefordshire Council has said.

The council has approved a £2.055 investment to strengthen flood resilience after widespread disruption in recent years, with more than 400 properties hit by floods and many roads closed, in 2024 alone.

Work has taken place over the summer to carry out investigations and identify where long-term protection could be provided, the council said.

The cash is to be spent on engineered and nature-based schemes, with the council also confirming that enhanced computer technology will be used to improve the response to floods.

"This investment is about protecting what matters most, our homes, our livelihoods, and our communities," said councillor Dan Hurcomb.

"By prioritising the areas hit hardest, we're making sure this funding delivers real, lasting benefits for the people of Herefordshire."

In addition to the £2m investment, the council is also planning to offer drainage grants and provide parish and town councils with flood prevention equipment.

Last autumn, Storm Darragh left more than 2,000 homes without power in Herefordshire and Worcestershire, with hundreds of trees brought down.

Flood warnings were in place across both counties as both the River Wye and River Severn rose.