A Ludlow resident whose house was flooded twice last year has called for more money to improve the town’s flood defences after seeing what has been achieved in Tenbury Wells.
Ludlow and Tenbury were two of the worst hit places in the country during last summer’s freak floods.
Brian Shiel, of Temeside, has written to the town council with his fears that Tenbury Wells is getting a better deal.
He said his own landlord, who owns three properties along the river, had taken considerable steps to improve the flood defences.
But he expressed his concern that the type of watertight barriers that the people of Tenbury had received were not on their way to Ludlow.
Mr Shiel said in his letter: “The barriers involve a considerable financial outlay, but I can’t believe at least some grant aid isn’t available to help towards this outlay from South Shropshire District Council, the Environment Agency or some other body.”
Mr Shiel said simple measures could be addressed in Ludlow, included sealing off a “letterbox” drain in the riverside wall.
“The solutions to our problems are simple, quick and not costly,” he added.
In Tenbury Wells, houses in Malthouse Mews along the River Teme have had watertight door barriers and self-closing air bricks fitted by Marches Housing Association.
Ludlow town councillors are poised to discuss the letter and the flood defences scheme at tonight’s meeting which starts at 7pm at the Bishop Mascall Centre.
3 Comments
If the measures are simple, quick and not costly then I suggest that Mr Shiel do them, or at least pay the council to do them - thus benefitting from the measures. Perhaps he could award the council a ‘grant’ from his own pocket for the measures. My issue is that this money be spent from taxpayers coffers to benefit the relatively few, those who already knew the area was prone to flooding in the first place in all likellihood, or should have had a proper survey at the very least. Perhaps these people, along with their insurers, should foot the bill for these expenses and save the drain on the taxpayer (local or national taxpayer at that)with taxpayers money going to benefit the wider community / society.
The taxpayer should not have to pay a penny towards rectifying the stupidity of the people that buy houses next to rivers!
All they need is a proper education and some wellies!
matty ….. i lived in ludlow last year when we had the floods. why shouldnt some our council tax that we pay be used for things like this ? so everyone who lives by a river is stupid ! great common sense and maturity !