Bewdley properties 'likely' to flood amid protection works

The River Severn was set to peak in Bewdley on Monday afternoon

Properties close to the River Severn in a town repeatedly beset by flooding are likely to be hit again amid issues to install permanent defences, the Environment Agency (EA) has warned.

Temporary barriers have gone up to protect homes at Severnside in Bewdley, Worcestershire.

But the EA has been unable to erect any opposite at Beales Corner because of works to install permanent measures.

Water levels were set to peak on Monday, the EA said.

"We think [the water] will get high enough to flood houses on that side of the river," explained the EA's Nick Green of beleaguered Beales Corner, where the Severn has breached several times this decade.

Work to complete permanent defences there should be finished within the next two years, he added.

He said that in the meantime: "We're keeping a real close eye and supporting [people] as required.

"There is a lot of water coming down the Severn, and the river is still rising, so it's just a case of how much the flood plain can absorb upstream and then we will be able to see the level as it works through Bewdley."

Local resident Mick Buxton said permanent defences could not come quickly enough

Flood warnings are in force along the length of the river in Worcestershire following heavy rain brought by last week's Storm Babet.

Mick Buxton, who has lived in Bewdley for 23 years, said the permanent defences "can't come quick enough".

"Tomorrow would be good," he said.

Referencing how work to introduce permanent barriers had impacted efforts to put up temporary measures, he added: "We are at bigger risk at the moment while we wait for the flood defences, but what can you do?"

He said he had five pumps in his cellar to try to keep it dry.

Being flooded was "emotional as well as physical", he explained, "because of the work you've got to put in to keep on top of it".

Gary Thompson said the rising flood water had been "a bit of a shock"

Elsewhere in Worcestershire, Tenbury Wells residents eyeing a swollen Teme have also expressed frustration at a lack of flood defences.

The town is still waiting to get some, with talks continuing between the EA and local authorities.

Gary Thompson, of Mr Thom's sweet shop in the town, said the weekend's flood from the River Teme had come "as a bit of a shock".

The centre of Tenbury Wells flooded over the weekend, affecting homes and businesses

Water had "started to creep up the road and then we started to panic", he explained.

He added that although the community had received help and advice from the fire service, "we didn't really see anyone from the Environment Agency this time which was a bit disappointing".

"The problem was we had no direction as to how high the flood water was going to go," he said.