West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged the Environment Agency to press on developing the flood defences scheme to protect Tenbury Wells’ homes and businesses.
“Local people and local businesses have done an amazing job bouncing back from the 2020 floods and then Covid-19 and I feel it is essential that we commit to securing their long-term future, protected by a comprehensive flood defence scheme.”
The team designing the scheme is currently working closely with church representatives to refine plans for the wall around the churchyard as well as looking to identify cost savings to bring the scheme back into a manageable budget.
Harriett recently met with the Environment Agency and local authority chiefs to assess how the scheme can be funded in the light of rising costs of building materials. She also urged them to look to use local workers and local materials to reduce costs.
The MP also sought to scotch local rumours that the scheme could be abandoned because of rising costs.
Harriett said:
“I remain totally committed to this scheme and I have been working closely with the Environment Agency to find a way to bring the budgets under control and ensure that it is affordable.
“In parallel, I have been working with local authority partners to see where we can find money to fill the funding gap and I hope that by buying smarter and using local resources, we can bring costs under control.
“I am also keen to share the message that I feel that it is essential that we press on with this scheme and submit it to planners for their approval as quickly as possible.
“Local people and local businesses have done an amazing job bouncing back from the 2020 floods and then Covid-19 and I feel it is essential that we commit to securing their long-term future, protected by a comprehensive flood defence scheme.”