Flood defence project to finish ahead of schedule

Work on a long-awaited Worcestershire flood defence scheme is on track to be completed two months earlier than expected, because of the dry weather.

The Environment Agency said it expects the measures in Severn Stoke to be in place by mid-October instead of by the end of the year.

Under the £5.2m project a special clay embankment is being created to the west of the village off the A38, while a section of Ham Lane will be raised.

Charlie Chandler, area flood risk manager, said: "We've had a really good summer in terms of it being dry so we've been able to pull everything forward, which is great."

Flooding has been a longstanding problem in the village, with the landlord of the Rose & Crown pub going viral in 2024 after he was filmed drinking a pint while sitting waist-high in flood water.

The original scheme received planning permission in 2020, with an amended plan approved the following year, but residents have been angered by repeated delays, largely due to the cost.

Chandler said: "The community has seen a huge amount of flooding over the last 10 years, and before that as well including the one in 2007.

"This scheme has been well-designed and well thought through to make a huge difference for the community.

"You can never stop all the flood water passing through, unfortunately that's the way of nature.

"But it should make a massive difference and keep water out of people's homes and businesses and allow them to do everything else they do in life."

The agency said Ham Lane would be raised between three and four metres above its current level, close to the turn onto the A38, as part of the work.

Chandler added: "We want to be ready just in case we have a wet autumn or winter.

"But we know that for a community like Severn Stoke this investment makes a huge difference in terms of how they're able to rest easy during periods of heavy rain."

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