£312k needed for flood plan (From Evesham Journal)

£312k needed for flood plan

3:30pm Tuesday 14th February 2012 in News By Sarah Taylor

PEOPLE living in and around Broadway have been asked to donate £312,000 towards a £3 million flood defence scheme.

Last month, letters were sent to 1,725 homes in Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot asking each household to donate £100 to the scheme.

The Badsey Brook Flood Defence Scheme will reduce the flood risk to the three villages after between 200 and 300 homes were affected by flooding in the summer of 2007.

County Councillor for Broadway Liz Eyre and parish councils in Broadway and Childswickham with Murcot are also planning events to raise the remaining cash.

Coun Eyre said: “This is a big ask. It is one more step but we believe from an insurance perspective, flood risk, trading and the resident’s point we must persevere.

So far I have been pleased with the response.

There is still a way to go. I think this is an opportunity we have to take.”

The proposed construction of a flood storage area will consist of earth embankments and a control structure that will control the flow of Bunches Brook into Badsey Brook.

Anthony Perry, Environment Agency flood risk manager, said: “Residents in these villages were severely impacted by flooding in July 2007. Although this was a large widespread flood event, many homes remain at risk of flooding and they will be flooded again in the future.”

The £312,000 is a shortfall from funding already raised. Currently the Environment Agency’s Regional Flood and Coastal Committee and local authorities have contributed £570,000. It is hoped the remaining money will be provided by the Environment Agency, which is currently liaising with all the landowners who would be affected by the proposed scheme.

A public meeting to discuss the scheme will be held at Broadway’s Lifford Hall next Wednesday, February 15, from 7.30pm.