Drive to raise flood defence cash goes on (From Worcester News)

Drive to raise flood defence cash goes on

5:00pm Tuesday 17th March 2009 in News By Richard Vernalls, @rvernallsWN #worcsnews

FLOOD-HIT villagers are determined to secure backing for defences to protect their homes.

The Kempsey Flood Action Group (FLAG) is trying to raise awareness and money in a bid to secure support for a mooted flood bund across Church Meadows aimed at preventing any repeat of the summer 2007 floods.

Much of the village was cut off for three days in July of that year and 150 households – about a 10th of the village – were inundated.

Villagers must now convince the Government-backed Regional Flood Defence Committee (RFDC) in September to release funding for the costly scheme, which currently stands at about £1.45 million.

Action group members have been working on ideas to reduce that cost and are also putting together a detailed dossier recording the effects flooding had on the village which will then be presented to the RFDC members in the autumn.

Both West Mercia Constabulary and Worcestershire County Council’s highways team have been written to by FLAG to find out how much money they spent providing manpower and resources to alleviate the flood’s effects in 2007.

At the action group’s latest meeting, several fund-raising ideas were unveiled including a ‘Kempsey Aid’ live band event later in the year, a pub quiz in April and plans to sell 1,000 greetings cards created by villagers.

Representatives form the Environment Agency, who have carried out extensive survey work, were also answering questions about the defence plans already outlined on Wednesday, March 11.

Rachael Sturley, FLAG spokeswoman, revealed the group has raised £600 towards the cost of any future defences through group subscriptions.

“Obviously we can’t hope to raise enough to pay for the defences but it does show we are totally committed and are willing to put our hands in our pockets,” she said.

The community fund-raising move follows the example set by villagers in Powick, who raised more than £1,000 towards a successful bid to the region’s flood chiefs for £650,000 in defences.

Funding for that project was given the green light by RFDC members, but Kempsey missed out to the consternation of many villagers in January.

Powick’s bid was also backed with £100,000 from Worcestershire County Council and £10,000 from the parish council.

FLAG members have been busy knocking on doors and posting leaflets around Kempsey to get the word out about their campaign.

A petition launched to gather support for flood defences has already secured 1,000 signatures.