Relief for flood-hit areas as river levels peak

The Environment Agency yesterday confirmed water levels in the river Severn reached 4.75 metres overnight as predicted and had stabilised.

The river broke its banks earlier this week after record levels of rainfall made for the wettest April in the UK since records began in 1910.

The EA issued flood warnings on Monday night at Kempsey, Callow End, Clifton and Severn Stoke near Worcester, which were still in place at the time your Worcester News went to press.

While the rising waters fell well short of the record-breaking 5.3 metres measured during the floods of July 2007, they still caused their fair share of disruption.

Yesterday, bosses at Worcestershire County Cricket Club confirmed the CB40 Match against the Netherlands on Monday will be held at Kidderminster after parts of the New Road ground were submerged.

The venue for the LV= CC match against Surrey CCC, which is due to kick off on Wednesday, will be decided at a later date.

Meanwhile, a swollen river Avon cast doubt on whether or not this weekend’s Evesham Rowing Club regatta will go ahead, with organisers set to make a decision by today.

And the wet and wild weather conditions contributed to the cancellation of the Asparagus Festival in Evesham this weekend.

A shortage of gras caused by bad growing conditions as well as the River Avon bursting its banks into Evesham’s Workman Gardens has meant that organisers of Saturday’s event have had to reluctantly pull the plug on it. Freak hot conditions earlier this year brought some very early spears but the cold and wet of recent weeks is not conducive to asparagus growing and has almost brought outdoor cropping to a complete halt, with crowns remaining grounded.

Motorists were also affected as the heavy downpours led to a number of bridge and road closures.

Drivers have also been warned not to attempt to pass roads that have been covered by flood water.

According to Met Office figures up until Sunday, the UK saw almost double the average rainfall in April, with 121.8mm of rain when just 69.6mm would be expected and 129.4mm fell across the Midlands.

Worcester News weather expert Paul Damari measured 106.7mm of rain for the whole of last month – the highest April figure since he began making records more than 45 years ago.

Last year, only 2.3mm was recorded during the entire month, while more than 200mm came down in just over a day during July 2007.

Weather conditions are set to improve over the next four days and any rain will be light and patchy.

A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency said while more rain was forecast, it would not fall at anywhere near the intensity experienced at the end of April, allowing river levels to stabilise and recede.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin yesterday congratulated and thanked the Environment Agency team after her constituency's five new sets of flood defences in Pershore, Uckinghall, Upton, Kempsey and Powick passed their first stress test.

David Harrison, vice chairman of Kempsey parish council, said water levels dropped about three inches over night on Tuesday and the Environment Agency yesterday removed sandbags placed around the village.

EVENTS AFFECTED BY THE WEATHER l A classic car show at Wickhamford,which was due to be held on Sunday was a wash out.

l Worcestershire’s match against Nottinghamshire was cancelled after rain on top of an already wet outfield made play impossible.

l Badminton Horse Trials, which were due to start today (3), were cancelled as the waterlogged grounds were judged to be too dangerous.

l Bredon School’s May Day fete won’t go ahead as planned on Monday.

l The Mud Runner challenge at Eastnor Castle, near Malvern – which prides itself on its participants getting muddy, wet and cold – was cancelled on Sunday after a tree fell on a marshall’s car.

l The Asparagus Festival event in Evesham on Saturday has been cancelled. It is hoped a lot of the activities will be incorporated into the asparagus auction at The Fleece Inn in Bretforton on Sunday, May 27.