Plea from Council Leader Shaun Davies as first heavy rains raise the flood barriers
Telford & Wrekin Council’s leader Councillor Shaun Davies visited the Gorge today as the latest flooding season begins to encourage people to keep visiting the area and prepare for a season ahead.
Forecasts indicate that river levels along the Severn are still rising, peaking in Ironbridge overnight at a height of between 4.3-4.6m - still about half a meter below the barriers. There will be a further peak, currently forecast for Thursday.
Despite the Wharfage being closed, the council leader urged people to continue to visit the businesses and visitor attractions like Enginuity and other museums that usually remain open along with the cafés and shops along the Wharfage which can be reached on foot.
All the car parks are also open and sandbags have been delivered and available for residents that need them to help themselves.
Councillor Shaun Davies said: “We wrote to the Government in February 2022 jointly with Shropshire Council to ask for a River Severn conference that recognises the regular cycle of misery, flooding brings and ensure that long-term investment to prevent this is available.
“We want to end the sticking plaster approach, we need investment to end the disruption that takes place here each and every year and we get the investment we deserve as a community.
Keep up to date with the latest forecasts here Check for flooding in England - GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
