'We're still in limbo over flooding help'

Gill Hurst has been a regular victim of flooding in Tenbury Wells

People in a town in Worcestershire are concerned about the prospect of more flooding this winter, saying they feel "in limbo" over plans to protect their properties.

Plans for a permanent flood defence system in Tenbury Wells are officially on the shelf due to concerns over funding, with the estimated cost rising from £17m to a sum as high as £30m.

A smaller potential scheme to protect about 100 buildings is still being developed, with the Environment Agency (EA) saying it intends to prioritise projects that are "currently in construction".

Resident Gill Hurst said: "We feel like we've been told so many things over the years - we don't know what to believe."

Tenbury Wells has been flooded several times in recent years, including last November when Storm Bert occured.

Last week, the town's MP Harriett Baldwin said she was "outraged" after the EA failed to meet a deadline to secure funding for the smaller scheme.

Since she spoke, about £1.8m has been identified from a separate pot of cash overseen by the English Severn and Wye Regional and Coastal Flood Committee, which could be used to start the project.

The money could pay towards special measures such as flood gates to protect about 100 homes, businesses and public buildings in the most "at risk" parts of the town.

But it still needs to be developed in more detail and signed off by central Government, meaning the project faces being delayed beyond 2027.

Even if that happens, the initial funding allocation is unlikely to be enough to finish the scheme, meaning further contributions would be required.

Ms Hurst, who has lived on Church Street since 2001, said: "You end up checking the weather forecast all the time - it's not good for anyone living like this.

"When the floods come, you're on an adrenaline rush. I would say you're in panic mode.

"We feel let down and in limbo, just waiting for this extra support."

Trader Rachel Rogers said businesses were considering quitting the town

Concern has also been expressed by trader Rachel Rogers, who runs Nature's Design Studio on Market Street, just metres from Kyre Brook which burst through a retaining wall last November.

She said: "What is this winter going to hold? We just don't know, and that's the trouble.

"We will try to battle through, but there's other businesses who aren't going to - they are quitting.

"Every time a business goes, it's sad for the town. We need solutions but we're still waiting."

New rules

The EA said the smaller scheme would need to be examined to ensure it fitted in with the Government's new rules on flood defence spending, which focus on helping deprived communities.

A spokesperson said: "The Environment Agency is committed to ensuring value for money - and projects which are currently in construction are being prioritised for funding in 2026/7.

"Other schemes will be assessed against the Government's new funding rules, and may be delivered in later years of the programme.

"We remain dedicated to protecting communities from the devastating impacts of flooding, and are delivering hundreds of new projects as part of the Government's record flood investment programme."

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin said she had met with the flooding minister, Emma Hardy and the EA's chief executive, Philip Duffy, who have both pledged to press on with the scheme.