Shropshire Star

'Abnormal becoming normal' says showground boss – as Shrewsbury hit by flooding multiple times a year

Shropshire is facing 'unsustainable' flooding, with "once-in-a-hundred-year floods" now happening nearly every year, according to the man in charge of Shrewsbury's West Mid Showground.

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The showground has been badly hit by flooding again in recent days and Ian Bebbington, CEO of the venue, said more thought is needed to prevent the issue making homes uninhabitable and businesses unviable.

"It has not been the worst one we have had but it is into every building on the site so that will be a two to three-week clear-up," he said.

Mr Bebbington said the site had also lost its electrics due to the flood, presenting a further headache to solve when the waters recede.

"We hope it has not done too much damage to those because that is where the costs lie," he added.

Mr Bebbington, who has been at the showground for 11 years, said he had seen a steadying worsening of the situation, with major floods coming more and more frequently.

He said: "We have had '100-year-floods' three times in four years.

"It is my 11th year at the showground and I have seen a significant change in the pattern over that time.