The Environment Agency and Shropshire Council are getting ready to engage with communities about proposals that seek to help people and businesses along the River Severn be prepared and resilient to the impacts of climate change.

The emerging Severn Valley water management plan seeks to reduce the risk of flooding from the River Severn for nearly 3,000 homes and businesses. The proposals aim to explore options of storing flood water to reduce the amount of water flowing down the river at times of flood, while also looking at ways to store it for use when needed.

The most recent climate change projections confirm the UK will experience wetter winters and drier summers, with an increased likelihood of more intense rainfall leading to flooding.

Communities around the River Severn are already aware of the devastating impact of flooding, on homes, businesses, infrastructure and the economy.

Photo: Victoria Quay, Shrewsbury, during February 2020 floods

However, the River Severn and its tributaries also see the impacts of too little water for people, businesses and agriculture. At times the Environment Agency ‘tops up’ the rivers from reservoirs and groundwater sources.

Adam Lines, from the Environment Agency said:

“This is a very visionary project and one we’re excited to be part of. The Severn Valley water management plan could help communities along the whole of the River Severn as it passes from Wales through Shropshire, Worcestershire and Gloucestershire be better prepared for the extremes of climate change.”

The northern relief road in Shrewsbury forms an important part of the proposals; it includes designing a road embankment that could help contain and store flood water away and upstream of Shrewsbury.

Combined, the new road and a water management plan could reduce the risk of flooding to homes and allow further economic development.

The Environment Agency and Shropshire Council want to engage people now to help refine and develop the proposals.

Along with input from local communities and partners, environmental and ground surveys will also be carried out to increase understanding of all of the areas that could be potentially impacted by the proposals.

This process will shape how work will be taken forward to minimise impacts and promote local ideas and opportunities wherever possible.

Mark Barrow from Shropshire Council said:

“It is essential that we communicate and engage with people as soon as possible.

“This is a once in a generation opportunity to review what infrastructure needs to be in place to mitigate the impacts of climate change, flooding and water security. This is a long term proposal, so it’s critical that everyone who has a property or business that is currently at risk of flooding or is affected by flooding from the River Severn, is able to inform and shape this work.”

In August the Government announced that the new River Severn Partnership would receive £36 million to help address the impact of flooding in towns and cities that sit alongside the river.

Led by Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency, the River Severn Partnership was launched in late 2019 and aims to take a strategic view of flood and water resource management along the River Severn.

It brings together councils along the length of the river, Natural Resources Wales and the new regional water planning group Water Resources West.