Flooded Arboretum reopens
Walsall Arboretum was today open to the public once again after one of the worst cases of flooding in its history left a repair bill of around £12,000.
Structural engineers visited the park yesterday to assess if the unusually high water levels had saturated the bridges, rendering them unstable. Experts gave the nod to allow the park to reopen this morning.
Early estimates of how much it will cost to repair the damage to footpaths and bridges come in at £12,000.
Walsall Council parks staff mounted a major clean-up operation after the worst flooding in more than a decade forced the park to close on Friday, when water levels reached more than four feet deep.
All major pathways and routes are now clear of mud and debris.
Parks manager Roger Nicholls said: "It does not appear, after visual inspection, that there has been any major structural damage.
"Any areas which have suffered damage will be cordoned off until repair work is undertaken."
Meanwhile, a severe weather warning was issued today for the West Midlands, with more than an inch and a half of rain bringing fears of more flooding.
Torrential rain is predicted for between 3pm today and 6am tomorrow.
