Shifnal residents gripped by fears of flooding

One in five homes in Shifnal is at risk of flooding – leaving the town on the verge of its worst disaster since 1591, it was claimed today.

The town's campaigning Flood Group says new national assessments show 660 homes are at risk – 20 per cent of Shifnal's housing.

Town councillor Gordon Tonkinson said a Shropshire Council surface water management plan now ranked Shifnal third in the top 10 Shropshire locations with the most houses at risk of flooding.

And Amanda Gorham, for the Shifnal Flood Group, said: "This is a very serious matter and could be the worst thing to happen to the town since Shifnal homes burned down in 1591.

"The problem has been developing since Telford was built and it is unfair that Shifnal people have to suffer."

An information event is now being held in the town tomorrow night to give people advice about the risk.

The town flooded in 2007 when the Wesley Brook became a raging torrent, flooding 60 properties. The brook flows through the Priorslee balancing pool before heading through Shifnal.

Councillor Tonkinson said: "I really have grave concerns about the flood risk.

"I am not reassured that Shifnal has been properly protected. All this Telford water comes through Shifnal but they have narrowed the brook in places to just 4ft to 5ft wide. If you narrow the flow of water you make it deeper and you make it more dangerous if it overflows."

Mrs Gorham said there were fears that homes listed on a flood risk assessment could face problems getting insurance.

Despite the claims David Edwards, flood and water manager at Shropshire Council, said more detailed investigations locally led the authority to believe just 80 homes in Shifnal were considered to be at risk of serious flooding.

A flood exhibition will be at Shifnal Village Hall between 3pm and 8pm tomorrow.