New flood defences to be tested

The system is said to provide more effective flood defences

A new type of flood defence system is to be trialled for the first time in the UK along the River Severn.

The K System, which has never been used before in the UK, will be tested next week along Coton Hill and Chester Street in Shrewsbury.

Organisers said the system should provide peace of mind to residents after the area has flooded seven times in the last 10 years.

If the trial is successful the barrier could be used regularly.

It should provide people with peace of mind Howard Crouch, Bauer Inner City

The temporary and demountable barrier, made of steel and aluminium, differs from other successful flood defences put up in the town and in nearby Bewdley.

The new system does not need any foundation work and can be put up elsewhere.

"This is the new generation of flood defence barrier as it's more effective, more flexible and easier to use than previous systems," said Howard Crouch, from Bauer Inner City who have made the barrier.

"It should provide people with peace of mind that they are being protected from flooding."

New solution

The one day trial is due to take place on Sunday, 10 September.

The Environment Agency said it was the first time these sort of barriers had been used in the UK.

Engineer Christian Wilcox said: "Coton Hill has a history of flooding and we hope that this new type of defence will present a solution.

"We will be trialling the defence to establish whether there are any problems we need to overcome before we use it in this location during a real flood."