New flood walls to be built after £708k cash award

Two permanent flood defence walls are to be installed in Ironbridge to protect vulnerable homes and businesses from the River Severn.

Telford and Wrekin Council has been awarded £708,000 by the government to build the walls along Bower's Yard and Ladywood.

The funding will also enable flood resilience measures, such as flood doors and non-return valves, to be installed in homes.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, of the Labour-run council, said the money would "support the vital efforts" to protect the community from the "misery and devastation" that flooding caused.

She added that flooding had become more frequent and the water level had risen higher.

The funding is part of a two-year, nationwide government project that will see £2.65bn spent on constructing new flood schemes and maintaining existing defences.

The Labour MP for Telford, Shaun Davies, said he was "thrilled" by the investment.

A further £16m has also been secured from the nationwide project to improve flood protection across River Severn communities and Shropshire.

Telford and Wrekin Council also plans to launch a separate flood management scheme that will use wireless sensors to monitor silt and water levels in gullies.

The measurements will be provided in real time and help improve surface flood management.

The new flood walls are set to be installed this year.

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