Shifnal flood fear over two reservoirs above town

Residents in Shifnal are living in fear of flash floods should two reservoirs above the town burst their banks, it has been claimed.

Councillor Gordon Tonkinson, Shropshire councillor for Shifnal, said 'scores of people' were worried about what could happen if the Flash and Priorslee Reservoir both flooded. He has called on Shropshire Council to provide assurances to allay the fears of town residents.

Officials at Shirehall have insisted both reservoirs are closely monitored by engineers and staff from the Environment Agency.

Councillor Tonkinson said: "I want to know what is going to be done to safeguard Shifnal from what could be quite horrendous flash floods if they overflow or burst their banks.

"I have asked serious questions about these dams above Shifnal. I want more assurances on their safety and what emergency procedures the council has in place.

"Everybody is talking about the dangers of flash floods and I want to know that the people of Shifnal are protected."

He added: "These people have to be able to go to bed at night and know they are safe."

Councillor Tonkinson handed his questions over in writing at the Shifnal Flood and Insurance Exhibition on Tuesday.

He said when the Wesley Brook flooded in the town in 2007, people woke up in their bungalows with 3ft of water.

"In 2007 a tremendous amount of water came down from the Telford area," he said. "People do not realise the damage that was done. Two bungalows had to be rebuilt." The Wesley Brook flows through the two reservoirs before heading towards Shifnal.

Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member for planning, said that under the Reservoirs Act 1975, both Priorslee Reservoir and the Flash are monitored very closely due to their size.

See also:

• Shifnal residents gripped by fears of flooding