West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has called on the Government to pledge extra support for the permanent flood scheme to protect homes and businesses in Tenbury Wells.

The MP has written to Environment Secretary George Eustice asking him to allocate cash from a new support scheme which was announced last month to help areas which are regularly impacted by flooding.

The Environment Agency is currently developing a permanent scheme to be built around the town but rising costs have meant that the scheme is now projected to be over budget.

Harriett recently met with the agency to ask it to find budget savings but she also agreed to help find alternative funding sources to bridge the gap.

Harriett commented:

“Work continues to develop and refine the Tenbury Wells scheme and I have had detailed conversations about how the Environment Agency can bring the current budget under control.

“In parallel I agreed to support any efforts to secure extra funding and this new money committed by the Government is very timely.

“I have written to the Environment Secretary sharing my concerns about the budget issues surrounding the scheme but also asking for additional funding to make sure that the Tenbury scheme is deliverable.

“Costs are rising in all parts of the economy, so a certain budget expansion was predicted, but I am keen to share the message that I, as the local MP, and the Tenbury community is still fully committed to delivering this scheme.”