THE leader of Wyre Forest District Council has called on the Government to fund permanent flood defences for Beales Corner in Bewdley.

In a letter to George Eustice, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Councillor Graham Ballinger highlights the urgency of action following the failure of the temporary barriers in January.

Devastated residents on Beales Corner are demanding answers as to when permanent flood barriers will be installed after homes were flooded for the second time in less than 12 months.

Floodwater started gushing over the temporary barriers in the town "like a tsunami" on Friday night as the River Severn rose to near record levels.

During a visit in March 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson promised to "get Bewdley done", but 11 months on, neighbours are still waiting for more permanent defences to be put in place.

Beales Corner was also hit by severe flooding in February 2020 when the temporary barriers were overtopped.

Wyre Forest MP Mark Garnier said this year's flooding had caused a "horrible sense of déjà vu" and said it was his priority to "get Bewdley done quicker".

Now, the Environment Agency has decided that it will not be deploying the temporary barriers for a period of at least a few weeks, because it needs to carry out further investigations to make sure public safety is not compromised.

Councillor Ballinger is demanding action that would prevent the same flooding devastation happening in future.

In the letter, Cllr Ballinger says: “Despite the best efforts of the (Environment) Agency and its staff, many of the householders have been flooded three times in less than 12 months.

"The pattern of more frequent extreme rainfall events, as a result of global warming, suggests that this will regrettably become a common experience unless the Government acts.”

Wyre Forest District Council’s overview and scrutiny committee reviewed last year’s flooding and full Council unanimously supported its recommendations which included support for the scheme of permanent flood defences being prepared by the Environment Agency.

The council is continuing to support the clean-up following the floods and helping those affected to recover.