Town protected from river floods

The town was particularly hard-hit by floods in 2000

Residents in a town on the banks of the River Severn are celebrating after an £11m flood defence scheme was finished.

People living in Bewdley in Worcestershire will now be protected from flooding on both the north and south banks of the river.

The scheme features more than 500m of demountable defences which can be put up when there is a risk of flooding.

The defences will protect 174 homes from the sort of floods that hit 140 properties in the town in August 2000.

The work was carried out by the Environment Agency (EA) and also includes 200m of brick-faced flood walls.

We hope that they will now be able to enjoy the river without fear Roger Prestwood, EA project manager

The demountable flood defences, which are among the first in the country, were used to minimise the number of flood banks and walls, which could have spoiled the quayside in the Georgian town, said the EA.

Project Manager, Roger Prestwood, said: "Bewdley has always flooded, but the town suffered especially badly in Autumn 2000.

"We were determined to do something about it and everyone made a special effort to get this flood defence finished as quickly as possible.

"Any major construction scheme causes significant disruption and we thank the people of Bewdley for their patience and support while we carried out the work.

"We hope that they will now be able to enjoy the river without fear, knowing that they are well protected."