Shropshire behind the barricades as waters rise

Before the introduction of barriers, people in Ironbridge would be filling sandbags and fearing the worst.

But now they can at least continue to live their lives safe in the knowledge they are out of harm's way.

And, curiously, they even help boost trade for shopkeepers who are stuck behind them.

Wendy Evans, owner of Queenies Cupcakery on the Wharfage said: "The flood barriers did us a favour last year because people came down to see them.

"Some shops just don't bother opening once the boards go up but if they are still up on Saturday we will have a busier Saturday than the last one.

"It brings families down with their children to have a look and it's quite educational.

"I'd rather the barriers were there than having a shop full of water.

"But I'd like to remind people we are still open and doing business so please pop down and see us. It's been dead this year full stop so it can't get any worse.

"There's not the same footfall there used to be in Ironbridge. If it doesn't pick up soon we won't be here and we are hanging on by the skin of our teeth."

And just up the road Adrian Cousins, owner of the Ironbridge Gift Emporium was using the down time to catch up on DIY in the shop.

"We know every so often we are going to have a week or so when we will be down on takings but it gives us a chance to get on with things we can't do when the shop is full of people," he said.

"The road being closed does have a detrimental effect as there are fewer people coming in as there's no passing traffic but we have got an internet business which helps us keep up.

"I've got a customer picking up three pieces of furniture and because the road is closed off I will be able to just pop them in the back of the van." Mr Cousins has seen extreme flooding during his 13 years of trading on the Wharfage.

"If the barriers weren't there it would be disastrous," he said. "We love the barriers. It's like an old friend turning up. It's the choice of a flooded shop or a things being a bit quieter.

"We've had it a foot deep in the shop and that was the year after it was really bad and it was five feet deep.

"The Environment Agency and the local council have been brilliant.

"They work with us and they're really effective."

Alison Fraher, a partner at Chrisalis News said: "If people see the sign sayng business open as usual then they will come down but sometimes they assume that because the road is closed all the shops are closed.

"We have been here for nine years and we rely on the through traffic so it affects us more than other businesses but we do get people coming down to have a look and see what's happening."

Elsewhere in the county, Shrewsbury's agricultural showground remained largely under water today after offices at the site had to be shut.

And manager Ian Bebbington said the floods could not have come at a worse time, as the county show approaches.

Mr Bebbington said: "The county show is in May, but from our point of view it's really not that far away.

"The floods could not have come at worse time, there is nothing we can do and it doesn't help that it's such a big area."

Despite using sand bags, the team have been unable to stop the water, and Mr Bebbington believes there is nothing more to be done.

He said: "We just get on with it really, what else can you do.

"We took door hinges off, we put the electrics high up so we were very well prepared.

"But like they say, you can not stop the tide from coming in and this is no different."

Elsewhere in Shrewsbury, pensioner Mrs Mary Harris believes authorities could be doing more to prevent residents from being marooned in their homes.

Speaking from Coton Manor, where flood water has already found its way into garages and gardens, she said: "I have lived here for 12 years and it has been 12 years of agony.

"The council have just left us to suffer, we don't have any flood defenses here so the water just comes in.

Coton Manor routinely floods, and Mrs Harris, 91, can recall feeding swans from her kitchen window.

She said: "The swans went swimming past in other years, that's how bad it got.

"But we've just been left to suffer, everywhere else has flood defences so I don't see why we can't have them as well."

Ollie Parry, landlord of The Salopian Bar on Smithfield Road, Shrewsbury, said the pub is already having to pump out water but may have to close if flooding gets worse over the weekend.

He was flooded out eight years ago and fears the worst. He said: "At the moment the river is peaking. But I'm much concerned about the next two days."

For pub owner Mr Jim Littler, the rising water may cost him customers, as it slowly creeps towards his function rooms at the Boathouse in New Street.

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