Telford & Wrekin Council Welcomes Government’s Investment into flood management
Telford & Wrekin Council has welcomed the government’s latest announcement regarding funding to reduce the risk of flooding, helping to support vulnerable properties and businesses in the Ironbridge Gorge.
The latest £708,000 round of funding, represents an important investment into long-term flood protection measures and will enable the council to deliver essential works, including the construction of two permanent flood defence walls along Bower’s Yard and Ladywood, as well as a range of flood resilience solutions in people’s homes.
Councillor Carolyn Healy (Lab) Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning & Sustainability said: “For many years I have been calling for support to better protect properties at risk of flooding across The Gorge. I am pleased to see our voice is being heard and funding released from government to help those in need beyond the Wharfage flood barriers.
“In recent years we have seen more frequent and higher levels of flooding and this money will support vital efforts to safeguard our communities from the misery and devastation flooding brings. I am pleased to reaffirm our commitment to delivering these critical defences.”
Funding to date has allowed 31 properties to be surveyed to support the development of resilience measures such as flood doors, air bricks, non-return valves, pumps. The design of new flood walls at Dale End, Bower’s Yard and Ladywood are also set to start this year once necessary approvals are in place.
As a separate scheme, Telford & Wrekin Council is also launching an innovative remote gully monitoring project, addressing the challenge of manually surveying gullies. By using wireless sensors to monitor silt and water levels in real-time, the system is improving surface flood management.
Councillor Richard Overton, (Lab), Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing & Enforcement, said: “This project is another pioneering way we’re enhancing flood resilience and complements the council’s own £3.5m investment over the next four years to tackle the complex issue of surface water flooding.”
This project is part of Telford & Wrekin Council’s wide-ranging investments strategy for 2025/26, which sees money going into creating jobs, supporting education and skills, improving transport, roads and high streets, enhancing green spaces, and looking after vulnerable people.