Flood-hit cricket club 'wants to stay at ground'

The New Road cricket ground was flooded eight times during the winter

Worcestershire's board wants to stay at the New Road ground, which was hit by eight floods during the winter, the cricket club's chief executive says.

Ashley Giles stated the board was waiting for a report looking at "potential options for redevelopment and flood mitigation" to allow them to remain there.

Concerns have been raised over the future of the club since Worcestershire confirmed in April they were willing to consider a move.

Mr Giles has reiterated the board thought it was responsible to "also look at what alternative options there may be if at some point" they were forced to leave New Road.

In his statement, read at a county council meeting by cabinet member for economy and skills Adam Kent, the chief executive said Worcestershire were facing significant concerns about their sustainability.

This was due to the "increasing volume and regularity" of flooding and these "flood events have had a severe impact on our cricket operations, businesses and revenues, posing a serious threat to the future of the club".

These issues pose a threat to "the long-term viability of the club, not just the ground," Mr Giles added.

'Worsening situation'

He said the board was awaiting the delivery of a report that "aims to provide an evidence-based assessment of the current situation, moving beyond emotional responses".

Moving away from New Road would "not be the preferred option for anyone involved with the club," Mr Giles added.

But he said "given the worsening situation and the club’s location on a flood plain it would be reasonable to argue that the board and executive would not be carrying out their roles responsibly if they didn’t consider these options".

Mr Giles stated Worcestershire would use the findings of the report to inform their decisions and strategies moving forward.

This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations.