Funding in place for Tenbury Flood Defence scheme
A long-awaited flood defence scheme for Tenbury Wells can now go-ahead after the final pieces of funding were secured.
The Government announced in July it was allocating £4.9million towards a scheme to protect Tenbury Wells. But there was a shortfall as the estimated total cost of the scheme is between £5million and £6million. Malvern Hills District Council has been working hard with partners to access the additional funding needed.
It has now been announced the Tenbury scheme will receive about £500,000 of the £12million given to Worcestershire Local Enterprise Partnership from the Government's Getting Building Fund.
Malvern Hills District Council has also agreed to contribute £100,000 to the project, meaning funding is now in place to allow detailed work on the scheme to get underway.
The scheme will protect 70 homes and 140 businesses and other non-residential properties, minimising the impact on Tenbury during future severe weather events. A second project will see tree planting take place across the Severn Valley as a form of natural flood defence and to capture carbon. Together the two projects will protect almost 3,000 homes.
Cllr Sarah Rouse, Leader of Malvern Hills District Council, said: "People and businesses in Tenbury have suffered enough over the years as a result of flooding and I am delighted the funding is now in place to allow this project to go-ahead.
"We look forward to working with the Environment Agency and other partners to get work started as soon as possible."
Dave Throup, Area Environment Manager for Worcestershire for the Environment Agency, said: "This is such good news. We're very grateful for contributions being made by our partners meaning work can progress on this essential flood scheme which will reduce the risk of flooding to 210 properties."
Cllr Tony Miller, Worcestershire County Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, said: "We've seen the devastating impact that flooding can have on the county's homes, businesses and infrastructure through several significant flood events in recent years. The flood event in February this year was one of the worst in Worcestershire for many years, with Tenbury being one of the most severely affected places.
"The recent announcement of Government funding for Tenbury and the additional contributions from other supporting partners, including the Getting Building Fund, means that the much needed flood defence scheme in Tenbury can be progressed.
"I look forward to the council continuing to work closely with partners, including local members, to build on the significant progress made around the county to date and deliver the scheme in Tenbury."