Wall destroyed in floods set to be rebuilt

The wall on Market Street in Tenbury Wells collapsed during flooding last autumn

Construction is set to start on a new wall in Tenbury Wells to replace one which collapsed during flooding last autumn.

The collapsed wall on Market Street has been a focus of frustration for residents, after it ruptured from the sheer force of floodwater in the Kyre Brook.

The resulting surge damaged businesses and other properties.

Worcestershire County Council will begin the work on Monday, with it expected to take about two weeks to complete.

Despite it not being possible to identify the owner of the wall, the council said it "intended to act as a good neighbour" and "use its powers" to replace the wall.

The council added it worked with the Environment Agency and other partners to assess the potential to construct a more substantial flood defence structure.

"Having concluded that there isn't a realistic 'in between' option short of a flood defence scheme, which is estimated at around £2million, it was then essential to secure an environmental permit from the Environment Agency to ensure that its construction is appropriate," the county council said.

"The Environment Agency processed the application extremely efficiently enabling the construction date to be brought forward."

As the replacement will be built using modern materials, the new wall will "inevitably be stronger" than the previous very old wall, the council added.

However, the new structure will not prevent a very high Kyre Brook from finding its way through numerous routes onto Market Street, but the replacement will help to slow it down.

Councillor Emma Stokes, cabinet member for the environment at the council, said: "The collapse of the wall has caused such anguish in the town and there has been considerable frustration about the delay.

"However, it's important that these things are done properly and that county council officers and their colleagues in the Environment Agency continue to work together to make this happen."