West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has welcomed confirmation that nearly £3million has been allocated to help keep Tenbury’s permanent flood defence schemes on track.

And the MP met with the local team responsible for developing the scheme to urge them to accelerate their work and submit designs to the planning authority – including an alternative plan for the controversial Church Street wall.

Harriett successfully lobbied the Government for the additional cash after the Environment Agency revealed that rising costs had left a significant budget shortfall.

Harriett met with Ministers to press for the extra cash and Tenbury will get two awards - £2.5 million for the flood scheme project and £100,000 for wider flood solutions for the town. This extra cash comes on top of the £4.9 million which the Government allocated to the town’s flood defences in 2020.

Harriett commented:

“I am delighted that this extra cash has been allocated to help to keep both schemes on track and I am grateful that the Ministers listened carefully to my requests and continue to support this vital scheme.

“The Tenbury scheme is far more complicated than the Environment Agency first envisaged when it drew up the initial plans and the blending of flood gates, walls with heritage bricks and bunds has meant that extra time has had to be allocated to consultation with local stakeholders.

“There are clear complications in certain areas of the scheme and I know that the area around the churchyard is particularly controversial. I understand that at least one other alternative plan is under development but I urged the Environment Agency to speed up their work so that planners can decide on the final scheme as soon as possible.

“I remain confident that the Tenbury scheme will go ahead and I continue to offer my support so that the town gets the right scheme to protect homes and businesses from the terrible threat of flooding.”