The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS) team is staging a community drop-in event aimed at engaging local residents and businesses in Shrewsbury.
This event, being held at Shropshire Wildlife Trust on Wednesday 29 January from 2pm to 7pm, will provide an opportunity to learn more about the SVWMS, ask questions of the team, and share views on the project.
The SVWMS, made up of the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council, aims to develop a water management strategy focused on reducing flood risk and delivering broader benefits to the upper Severn catchment area and beyond.
Ian Nellins, deputy leader of Shropshire Council and cabinet member for the environment, said:-
“This initiative is crucial for the social and economic well-being of Shrewsbury and its surrounding areas. By developing a water management strategy in the upper Severn catchment we are helping build in resilience and wellbeing in communities further downstream too.
“The scheme promotes sustainable water management practices, enhancing local biodiversity and preserving natural habitats, and by mitigating flood risks, the SVWMS aims to reduce impacts to homes, schools, and public infrastructure, ensuring the safety and security of our residents.”
Ian also highlighted the economic importance of developing the scheme.
He said:-
“By reducing the likelihood of flood-related disruptions, the SVWMS supports local businesses, ensuring they can operate smoothly and contribute to the local economy and a well-designed water system makes our region more attractive to investors, fostering economic growth and job creation.”
The community information session at Shropshire Wildlife Trust on Abbey Foregate, is free to attend and no booking is necessary.
It is the fifth and final event in a series which has seen the team visit communities in Powys and Shropshire.
All community members, stakeholders, and local businesses are encouraged to attend to learn more about the SVWMS and its benefits as public participation and feedback are vital to the success of this initiative.
People can also keep up to date with progress of the scheme and all the latest news and events by viewing the new SVWMS website, which seeks feedback from those with an interest in the scheme.
About the SVWMS:
The SVWMS is led by a partnership of the Environment Agency, Natural Resources Wales, Shropshire Council and Powys County Council.
It has been developed in response to significant flooding of the River Severn in recent decades which has damaged homes and businesses, impacted local infrastructure and disrupted travel. This project aims to better protect over 3,000 homes and 1,000 businesses from flood risk across the upper Severn catchment in England and Wales.
The project also seeks to support the management of long-term water resources, with recent periods of prolonged dry weather having resulted in the need for action to minimise the environmental damage from low water flows. As an example of these extremes, in 2022 the Upper Severn catchment went from winter flooding to drought within the space of 8 months, with groundwater and reservoir stores being used to support the people and wildlife who depend on the water supply provided by the Severn.
To help address these issues, the SVWMS is adopting a regenerative approach, meaning that interventions will seek to positively contribute to addressing the climate crisis and halting biodiversity decline, whilst also providing significant flood risk benefits. It will investigate interventions including natural flood risk management measures that slow the flow of water upstream such as the creation of leaky dams and other land management practices, as well as engineered solutions such as the construction of flood storage areas and embankments.
