A FLOOD defence for a village cannot go ahead as an MP speaks of her dismay over delays as villagers face another potential winter of flooding. 

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has shared her dismay following confirmation that the permanent flood defence scheme in Severn Stoke is facing further delays.

The work on the £1.8 million flood defences is designed to protect the flood-hit village as part of an Environment Agency alleviation scheme to protect homes and businesses.

Work had been due to start on the next stage of the project this month.

However, the Severn Stroke flood bund delay has now caused dismay after a row between contractors and the Environment Agency.

Negotiations have broken down between the Environment Agency and the proposed contractor, which was expected to build the scheme this autumn, and work has now been shelved until a new team can be found to carry out the work.

Mrs Baldwin was briefed on the further delay and the Environment Agency is planning to offer meetings with local stakeholders later this month to discuss the delays.

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The agency hopes to have an alternative plan in place shortly to allow construction work to start next Spring.

Mrs Baldwin said: “The Environment Agency team attended a public meeting in Severn Stoke in July and they told villagers that they were confident that a contractor had been agreed but clearly things have gone badly wrong since then.

“I’m dismayed at the lack of progress, but most troubling is the fact that the people who have homes and businesses in Severn Stoke are going to have to face up to another winter where there is a risk of flooding.

“The contract to carry out the work is due to be advertised soon and I have asked the team running the project to do everything they can to get a supplier in place. I’m planning to share my concerns about the Agency’s purchasing process with Ministers but right now, we need solutions.

“We’ve always known that this was going to be a complicated scheme to deliver but all eyes will now be on the Environment Agency to get this scheme done, and quickly.”

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “We can confirm that earth works on the Severn Stoke Flood scheme have been put on hold until the Spring of 2024.

“This is because we have not been able to agree an affordable price with a contractor yet. However, we want to re-assure residents that we are exploring all options to deliver the scheme and will be holding a community drop in event next week, on Friday 13 October between 15:30 to 18:30, at St Deny’s Church to answer residents questions.”

 

“We continue to deliver on other elements of the scheme, including installation of further site fencing and tree clearance.”