Local MP, Philip Dunne, chaired a meeting at the request of Much Wenlock Town Council on Friday 13th October at which Shropshire Council’s Portfolio Holder, Ian Nellins, and councillor for Much Wenlock, Cllr Dan Thomas, attended. Also present were local residents who had been in touch with the Town Council, and responsible officers from Shropshire Council, Environment Agency and Severn Trent Water.  

The meeting had been arranged to discuss various measures being considered to help reduce flood risk in the town.  

 Mr Dunne said:  

“Many people in Much Wenlock have been concerned following the flood earlier this year that several properties in the town remain at risk of flooding, despite the success of the major attenuation pond built after serious flooding almost ten years ago.  

“So I was pleased to help Much Wenlock Councillor, Dan Thomas, and the Town Council bring together the various bodies who have some responsibility to help manage surface water flood risk.  

“Little did we know at the time that Storm Babet would arrive a week later and deluge Shropshire in 40mml of rain within 24 hours. This has, as many of us feared, overwhelmed the town’s drainage system and regrettably the junction at the Gaskell Arms was again turned into a river with properties on the High Street and elsewhere once again flooded.  

“The meeting discussed a number of possible further measures being considered, increasing access to the existing attenuation ponds, to considering a report commissioned by Shropshire Council for next steps, as well as Severn Trent’s combined sewer overflow improvement plan for the town.”  

It was agreed to hold a follow up meeting in the New Year once these various reports have been analysed.  

Mr Dunne added: 

“I know many people in Much Wenlock are quite rightly fed up at having to live with active flood risk which last week’s storm has shown once again is an all too present danger. I am determined to work with responsible bodies to try to find fresh solutions to help alleviate this nightmare.”