12-Jun-2006
- On 12 June 2006 the Environment Agency begins
work on a £200,000 scheme to rebuild existing
flood embankments where the Weir Brook meets the
River Severn. The work is expected to take about
three months.
These embankments, known locally
as argaes, were built about 200 years ago and
protect surrounding land from flooding.
In a more severe flood, when
the river overtops the argaes, water is stored
behind them on a large area of flat land and then
released via sluice gates on the Weir Brook when
the river levels subside. This also helps to reduce
the peak flood levels in Shrewsbury.
The embankments are normally
repaired after floods have damaged them, but this
£200k scheme involves the total reconstruction
of the floodbanks to modern standards.
The embankments will now have
a much wider crest, and much shallower side slopes,
which are less prone to damage from flooding.
This allows the farmer to cut silage from the
sloping areas, increasing the area of land he
can use.
For safety reasons the public
footpath and fishing will be closed to the public
until work has finished.
Asset System Management Engineer,
Natalie Rushton, says: "We monitor the condition
of our flood defences regularly and this work
is part of our planned programme to ensure they
are kept up to modern standards. The new embankments
will be less prone to flood damage and easier
for us to repair, as well as enabling farmers
to use more of their land. We will close the footpath
and fishing to ensure people’s safety while the
work is being carried out but this is only a temporary
measure."
Any questions about the works
from members of the public should be directed
to Natalie Rushton, Asset System Management Engineer
on 08708 506 506.
Lyn Fraley
