Shropshire Council wants to hear from flooding victims as it bids for defence help
People in Shropshire are being urged to share their flooding experiences to help the county bid for better defences.
Last month devastating floods hit Shropshire for the third year running, with three of the five worst-recorded events on the River Severn taking place since 2020.
They have affected hundreds of people in the county, including those in Bridgnorth, Clun, Ludlow, Melverley, Pentre and Shrewsbury.
Shropshire Council said although it continued to work with the Government and Environment Agency on how the constant flooding can be addressed, it was important those bodies understood the full scale of the impacts of the flooding and provide communities with short, medium and long-term solutions.
A key element to support the council’s lobbying of the Government to allocate funds to the county will be evidencing the effect of flooding on residents, businesses and other organisations in Shropshire.
The council estimates that 280 properties in Shropshire were affected by flooding in February 2022, although this may not capture the true impact.
To do this, the council is encouraging all those who have suffered from flooding or have been impacted in other ways since 2020 to complete a short form to help it capture the true picture of how flooding affects the county. The form can be found online at shropshire.gov.uk/flooded, and takes just a few minutes to complete.
For those without internet access, the form can also be completed by calling 0345 678 9006 between 8am-6pm Mondays to Fridays.
Shropshire Council leader Lezley Picton said people’s responses would support wider lobbying efforts to secure better help from the Government and Environment Agency for flood prevention measures in Shropshire.
“I have spoken to so many people across Shropshire over the last week who are once again desperate for a stop to the annual cycle of misery that floods cause," she said.
“We are lobbying the Government and Environment Agency hard, making the case for better flood defences for Shropshire.
“Having the most up-to-date information possible will be invaluable in making that case for Shropshire more strongly than ever, and reducing the risks of more people’s lives being ruined by floods.
“So, if you’ve been affected by flooding, tell us about it and help play your part in fighting for better protection for the people and businesses of Shropshire.”
