West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has urged local people to get involved in the consultation process which will see a permanent flood defence scheme built in Tenbury Wells.

The Environment Agency is due to start a formal consultation on the design of the plan next month and it is encouraging local people to have their say and sign up for a newsletter which will keep people informed of progress.

Because of Covid-19 restrictions, public meetings and displays will not be possible so the agency will use a mix of online meetings, phone and mail consultation to get people’s views.

The agency will start facilitated presentations and phone calls to local residents and businesses in January. Ground investigations and surveys are expected to start in the Spring and work is expected to start early in 2022.

Harriett said: “The global pandemic is presenting some extra challenges for the Environment Agency as it tries to get as many views as possible on the new scheme.

“It is essential that as many people as possible study the plans and have their views. We’ve got to make sure that the scheme is right and has the public’s full support before it goes forward for planning permission.

“My experience with the scheme at Upton-upon-Severn was that local people were able to feed into the process and make sure their opinions were heard.

“That may be a challenge with Covid restrictions currently in place, but it is vital that people make sure they are kept informed and the Environment Agency goes the extra mile to give Tenbury residents the chance to share their views.”

Residents and business can sign up for the newsletter and get more information by visiting: https://consult.environment-agency.gov.uk/west-midlands/tenbury-wells-fl...