Shropshire Star

Shifnal flood risk group secures £500,000 for town

More than £500,000 of Government cash has been secured to help protect homes and businesses from flooding in Shifnal.

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The funding will be used to safeguard 87 commercial and residential properties in Shifnal and has been hailed as "fantastic news" by the town's flood partnership group, which has netted the cash.

The £532,000 has been granted as part of the Government's six-year flood risk management programme.

The Shifnal Flood Partnership Group, set up with the assistance of the National Flood Forum, aims to identify local issues and work with organisations and agencies to reduce the risk of flooding and support those affected.

Shropshire Council and Severn Trent Water has attended recent meetings along with the Environment Agency and house builders to discuss plans with the new flood partnership group to consider how best to allocate the money.

Funding is set to be available from 2018 onwards.

Bob Haddon, chairman of the Shifnal Flood Partnership Group, said that by "working positively together", the flood partnership group had been able to talk openly with other organisations about flooding issues affecting the town.

He said the group was quickly and actively learning about the technical aspects of flood risk management.

He said: "This is fantastic news. We are so pleased about the positive support that the organisations are giving us.

"We also welcome the organisations ensuring that how the money allocated is spent meets with grassroots community support, and allows those at risk of flooding in Shifnal to be a part of that process."

Councillor Mal Price, cabinet member for flood risk management at Shropshire Council, said working in partnership with the community and other organisations was the key to managing flood risk.

"It is great to see the formation of a community group that wants to work for the wider benefit of the town of Shifnal," he said. "We look forward to working positively together over the coming years."

More information about the group and how to get involved is available at www.sfpg.btck.co.uk

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