The English Bridge
Angry residents have hit out at environment bosses for failing to install flood defences to protect them – despite £20,000 being available for the scheme.
Coton Hill and Greenfields was left cut off from the town centre on Monday afternoon by rising flood water which residents claim could have been prevented.
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council was given £20,000 two years ago by developers Shropshire Homes as part of a Section 106 agreement on the Benbow Quay development in Coton Hill.
It was allocated for use by the Environment Agency. But despite successful flood defence trials in September 2006 and the development being officially opened in November 2006, the money still has not been spent.
The issue has now been raised by Greenfields resident Councillor Maxwell Winchester. “It was a disaster for us, we were actually trapped in that part of town.
“I was told the borough council have got the money and they are waiting for the Environment Agency.”
Councillor Judith Williams, portfolio holder for the river, confirmed the £20,000 was sat in a legal account held by the borough. “It just sits there waiting for the Environment Agency to say what the scheme is.”
One resident, Judith Chadburn, approached Councillor Jon Tandy for help after she faced a four-mile walk to work at the Royal Mail sorting office in Castle Foregate because of the floods.
Cllr Tandy said people in Coton Hill had no other way of getting into town because the only other footpath was closed due to the building of homes at Ellesmere Grange.
A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said £20,000 had been spent on carrying out feasibility work for flood defences in Coton Hill, although it is not clear where that money came from.
“There were some problems following the trial and work is underway to see if barriers can be put up in the area. We need to do further tests on the underground infrastructure.”
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