THE response to the recent flooding event in Worcestershire has now moved into the recovery phase of contingency flood plans as the waters recede and clean-up operations begin.

Up to now the Worcestershire Silver Tactical Coordinating group has managed the response. The task of this group has been to make decisions and activate the appropriate aspects of the flood plans as the situation unfolds to keep people and businesses safe.

This group which includes senior representatives from a number of agencies such as The Environment Agency, Worcestershire County and District Councils, Public Health England, Worcestershire Health and Care Trust, Hereford and Worcester Fire and Rescue, West Midlands Ambulance Service and West Mercia Police, met for last time today.

From now on the Recovery Group will manage the clean-up and return normality. This will still be a multi-agency activity and chaired by Worcestershire County Council's director of Resources Directorate, Patrick Birch.

Speaking on behalf of the Silver Tactical Co-ordinating group, Superintendent Kevin Purcell, said: "I would like to personally thank everyone who has worked tirelessly over the last couple of weeks to ensure public safety and keep the county moving.

"We have seen some great successes including the Military shuttle truck operation in Upton-upon-Severn and the County Council putting in place solutions to keep the traffic moving across the bridge in Worcester City Centre.

"There have also been some wonderful examples of local people pulling together and helping each other out."

Patrick Birch, Recovery Group chairman also paid tribute to the efforts so far, saying: “As we move into the next phase of flood plan, the recovery period, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone for their efforts and support so far.

"The multi-agency approach has been professional and well-coordinated, which has worked extremely well.

"We will now build on this with the recovery phase which will still require huge efforts over the coming weeks and months.

"We will continue with the multi-agency approach and draw on our previous experiences to make support available as quickly as possible where it is needed.

"We are, in 2014, much better placed to assist people and businesses and a have strategy in place for a planned return to normal.”