Canoe journey from Llanidloes to Bridgnorth calls for government backing of the Severn Valley Water Scheme

Communities across Wales and Shropshire that have been repeatedly impacted by flooding are uniting for a six-day canoe journey down the River Severn to highlight the urgent need for action and secure government backing for the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme (SVWMS).

From September 1 to 6, residents, flood action groups, and local supporters will paddle from Llanidloes to Bridgnorth, stopping at towns and villages along the route to meet residents, businesses, farmers, schools, and community organisations.

The journey will raise awareness of the increasing flood risk facing communities throughout the Severn Valley and build public support for the full delivery of the SVWMS.

Organisers are encouraging people from across the region to get involved. Participants can join the paddle for a single day or attend one of the community events taking place along the route.

There is still time to sign up, explore the journey schedule, and find out where events are planned by visiting www.severntogether.org.

Events planned during the week include on Tuesday, September 1 the Llanidloes to Newtown section, a welcome event in Hanging Gardens Cafe in Llanidloes at 10am and a launch at Severn Port Park.

There will be an evening event at Hafan Yr Afon Community Centre in Newtown at 7.30pm.

The Newtown to Welshpool section on Wednesday, September 2 will see paddling through Powys with an informal evening gathering at The Green Dragon Inn, Buttington, Welshpool.

On Thursday, September 3, the Welshpool to Pentre section, there will be an arrival and welcome event at Crew Birdge, the confluence of River Vrynwy and River Severn at 3pm and an event and gathering at Royal Hill Inn in Pentre at 5.30pm.

There will be an arrival and welcome event at Welsh Bridge and Quarry Park in Shrewsbury on Friday, September 4 for the Pentre to Shrewsbury section at 5pm.

The group will canoe from Shrewsbury to Ironbridge on Saturday, September 5 with a gathering and event in Quarry Park by Porthill Bridge, Shrewsbury at 10am and a 1.30pm arrival and meeting with Atcham community members at the shore by The Mytton and Mermaid at 1.30pm.

Finally, the Ironbridge to Bridgnorth section will take place on Sunday, September 6 with a public event next to the Museum of the Gorge and the launch of the launch journey from the beach at Wharfage from10am until 11am.

An afternoon finale event will take place at Bridgnorth Rugby Club on Bandon Lane at 4pm.

Organised by Severn Together: Communities in Action, the canoe journey is a powerful symbol of both the communities' connection to the river and the devastating impact of repeated flooding.

A spokesperson said: “It is also a call for government to move from planning to action. The plan is there. Now it must be delivered.

“For many communities along the River Severn, flooding has become an annual reality, bringing significant disruption to homes, businesses, farms, transport networks and livelihoods.

“At the same time, longer periods of drought are placing increasing pressure on water supplies, agriculture and the natural environment.

“Severn Together: Communities in Action is a community-led group bringing together residents, Flood Action Groups and local stakeholders from across the Severn Valley.

“The group advocates for practical, long-term solutions to flooding and water management, helping communities speak with a united voice in support of a resilient future for the River Severn.”

Heather Shepherd MBE, Pentre, Shropshire; co-founder Flooded People UK said: ''If we don't forward opportunities immediately and manage our water environment with the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme {SVWMS}, whole areas will not thrive.

“The economy & development stops, transport paralysis, water poverty and public health become a crisis, along with the loss of local livelihoods, these are just some of the outcomes.

“Along the River Severn we have already suffered from these outcomes, our lives destroyed by flooding and drought, businesses and local economy on its knees. It's time for change!

“The Government needs to invest now in the whole of the SVWMS as a bold approach to managing water that will secure the viability of our future.''

This is a national challenge with local consequences. The River Severn catchment is the longest in the United Kingdom, stretching across Wales and England and supporting millions of people. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of both floods and droughts across the catchment. Communities face growing risks to homes, businesses, infrastructure, food production, biodiversity and rural economies.

To provide resilience to those communities regularly affected by flooding the region needs to store the equivalent of up to 100 billion litres of water during times of flood. That’s the equivalent of 40,000 Olympic size swimming pools, or 3.8 years of daily water consumption for the whole of Shropshire and Powys combined.

Siobhan Connor, Chair of Shrewsbury flood action group, flooded 20 times said: “We are living in a climate of warmer and wetter winters and communities are facing relentless, unliveable repeated flooding.

“The personal and economic devastation that flooding brings cannot be overstated and we cannot carry on living like this.

“The only hope for us is the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme is going ahead in full and fully funded. The scheme needs to hold back 40,000 Olympic size swimming pools, 100 billion litres of water with modelling.

“I am extremely worried that SVWMS are going to pretend they’ve built the whole scheme and are going to build only part with Natural Flood Management and push property flood resilience which is a distraction.

“Our homes are on the line on this. I have already done all I can to protect myself with PFR and still flooding. I am not compromising on my home, my health, my future.

“My community need to feel safe and not face a future of nothing but a black hole. My biggest fear is that this scheme ends up like Tenbury Wells, a £21m pound scheme to protect the town taking over ten years, until it is diluted to natural flood management and PFR. Only the full SVWMS can deliver protection. Government must fully fund it now – no delays, no half-measures.”

The UK's Climate Change Committee has warned that worsening flooding, drought and extreme weather pose a growing threat to communities, infrastructure, public health and economic stability, reinforcing the need for faster action to build resilience.

The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme has developed a coordinated approach to water management across the Upper Severn catchment. The scheme is designed to hold water when there is too much and make more available when there is too little, providing benefits for flood protection, water security, agriculture, communities and nature.

Crucially, campaigners argue that the scheme's effectiveness depends on it being delivered as an integrated programme rather than through isolated projects.

"Communities need more than piecemeal investment and short-term fixes," organisers said.

"They need the confidence that a long-term plan will be delivered. A firm commitment from Government would provide certainty for residents, businesses, farmers, landowners and local authorities, while creating a more resilient Severn Valley for future generations."

Communities are calling for Government commitment. Throughout the six-day journey, participants will gather stories and experiences from communities living alongside the river, highlighting both the human cost of repeated flooding and the opportunities offered by long-term water management.

The campaign has a clear message to decision-makers: communities are ready, the plan exists, and the time to fund it is now.

Severn Together is calling on Government to provide the funding, partnership and long-term support necessary to deliver the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme in full, helping safeguard communities, businesses and the environment for generations to come.

The future of the River Severn belongs to everyone who lives, works and cares about it. Whether you are a resident, farmer, business owner, volunteer, student or simply someone who values the river. To get involved please sign up at: severntogether.org

Anyone can take part by joining for a day, exploring the route, or attending community events along the way. More information and registration details are available at www.severntogether.org