Flood defences in Ironbridge coming down - Shrewsbury to follow in next few days

Dave Throup of the Environment Agency, said he had been pleased with the way the county's flood defences had coped with the recent rainfall - with more than 2,000 homes and businesses saved from potential flooding.

However, Mr Throup did say the organisation would remain vigilant with a flood warning still in place for the Vyrnwy catchment, and water still expected to work its down from the Vyrnwy Confluence over the coming week.

The multi million pound flood defences were put up in Ironbridge last Wednesday, and at Frankwell in Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

Mr Throup said: "The good thing is it looks like we have got two or three days of weather window where it looks like there is not going to be lots of rain, or enough to kick it up again.

"We have to keep an eye on it because the levels will stay high throughout the week and there is still water working its way down the Vyrnwy Confluence.

The wet weather has caused some disruption for Shrewsbury residents with Frankwell Car Park closed due to flooding, and roads in the town also shut - Gravel Hill Lane, Sydney Avenue, Chilton Farm Lane, Cross Houses-Atcham, Victoria Avenue, Old Coleham, were all affedcted as well as a lane closure at Coleham Head to allow for the Severn Trent pump to be accommodated.

Despite the disruption, Mr Throup said that the defences had protected thousands of properties and prevented considerable damage.

He said: "I have been very pleased. We have been going 24/7 since last Sunday and we have had an awful lot of people out and about and I think the defences across the Severn have protected about 2,000 homes up and down the Severn.

"If we were talking about this even 20 years ago there would be significant floods in Shrewsbury, Ironbridge, and Hereford. We would be talking about quite a big flood event but now - it has taken a lot of resources - but there are a few flooded homes."