CONTRACTORS from the Tenbury area could be used to help to build a flood defence for the town that works and is within budget.

Due to rising prices there is a shortfall of more than £3 million for the scheme that should now be being constructed but has not even gone to planning.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, whose constituency includes Tenbury, is asking for additional money on top of the £4.9 million that is already promised.

She says that a solution must be found as it is only a matter of time before the town floods again as it did last in February 2020.

“The Government has committed to developing a permanent flood defence scheme for Tenbury and allocated £4.9 million to making it happen,” said Mrs Baldwin.

“Since then, we’ve seen global inflationary pressures and the costs to deliver the scheme have rocketed.

“While developing the scheme, the Environment Agency has had to look at a much more complicated design which meets the needs of local people and local stakeholders. The crucial point is that this must be a scheme that works and protects the town for hundreds of years.

“I’ve been working closely with the local team to understand the challenges they are facing, and I’ve asked the Government to allocate extra funding to bridge the gap. I’ve also asked the Chancellor directly if he will ring-fence funding for capital schemes and I plan to meet with the Floods Minister to discuss my concerns.

“I’ve also challenged the Environment Agency to look at how it will deliver this project and to find cost savings.

“Finances are tight for us all and I have urged the design team to look very closely at this to bring the overall cost down.

“This could mean using local builders and local materials rather than relying on expensive contractors and a gold-plated plan.”