WORK is underway to install new flood defences in Bewdley following years of campaigning - with road closures now in place.

Initial work is being carried out to introduce permanent flood barriers to the Beales Corner side of the River Severn, after three consecutive years of flooding, in 2020, 2021, and 2022.

Construction work on the scheme is expected to take approximately 18 months to two years to complete.

A section of Stourport Road closed last week to build a working platform and the main construction site. The main construction phase is set to take place from October.

The Environment Agency said: "Large-scale engineering work will be taking place in a difficult built environment along the riverside at Beales Corner.

"To do this safely, the Stourport Road will need to be closed and the Kidderminster Road will need to be reduced to one carriageway.

"It is estimated that this could be for 18 to 22 months".

Kidderminster Shuttle: Temporary flood barriers holding back flood water at Beales Corner Temporary flood barriers holding back flood water at Beales Corner (Image: Environment Agency)

Bewdley Bridge is also set to close from August 29 until September 22. A water main is located where the foundation of the new flood wall needs to be constructed and Severn Trent Water needs to relocate it.

Pedestrian access will be maintained at all times, the Enviornment Agency has confirmed. 

Meanwhile, from today (August 14), work is being carried out to lower the kerb at the corner of the bridge and Riverside North.

The roads will be open, and a traffic light system will be in place, with the work expected to take no more than five days.

There is a public meeting with businesses and residents at St George’s Hall in Bewdley on August 17 at 5pm to discuss the traffic management options during the main construction phase of the project.

After the flooding in 2020 funding was made available by the government for impacted communities, enabling the Environment Agency to consider a flood risk management scheme for the Beales Corner area of Bewdley and keep the main Kidderminster and Stourport roads into the town open at times of flood.

The new Environment Agency scheme includes a combination of demountable flood barriers and permanent raised walls with glass panels on top to maintain views across the river.