Council leader says more funding must be given to prevent Shropshire's annual cycle of flooding misery
Telford & Wrekin Council's leader has called for a long-term plan to stop the annual cycle of flood misery for the region, as weather warnings for Shropshire were extended.
Flood warnings and alerts remain in place across the county and in Mid Wales, including red warnings at Llanymynech where the A483 trunk road was at risk of flooding and in Shrewsbury.
Forecasts indicate that river levels along the Severn were due to peak in Ironbridge on Tuesday night at a height of between 4.3m and 4.6m - still about half a metre below the barriers. There will be a further peak, currently forecast for Thursday.
Councillor Shaun Davies said it was time the Government gave the area the investment it needs to stop what has become a yearly impact on residents, businesses and visitor attractions.
Speaking from the Maws Craft Centre in Ironbridge, Councillor Davies said Ironbridge was very much open for business and urged people to support the shops, pubs, restaurants and other attractions.
"It is a new year and sadly a new flooding season and we are working with our partners, our residents and our businesses to prepare the community," he said.
"The rain continues to fall in Wales and that will be making its way down the Severn to Ironbridge over the next few days."
He said river levels in the town were expected to peak on Tuesday evening with a second peak on Thursday and said the barriers would remain up for the rest of the week.
"We need a long-term plan to stop this annual cycle of misery," Councillor Davies said.
"In February 2022 we wrote to the Government, with Shropshire Council, calling for investment to ensure an end to the disruption that takes place every year."
In Shrewsbury, Frankwell Car park is closed until further notice and while St Julian's Friars car park remained open on Tuesday night, Shropshire Council said it would be monitored overnight and into the morning.
"St Julian’s Friars residents' permit holders - please stay alert," said the council.
"If you require overnight parking please use Abbey Foregate Car Park. If you need to park in the town centre we recommend Abbey Foregate Car Park - but advise using park and ride."
A new yellow weather warning has been issued by the Met Office covering the south western part of Shropshire for Wednesday into Thursday.
On Tuesday evening there were red flood warnings in force for the River Severn at the Shrewsbury Showground and Frankwell areas with lesser flood alerts on the rest of the Severn throughout Shropshire as well as on the Upper Teme in South Shropshire and the Tern and Perry catchments in the north of the county.
Across the Welsh border, flood alerts are in place for the River Vyrnwy near Llanymynech and no less than 34 flood warnings across much of the rest of the country.
