Relief as floodwaters ease

People were able to breathe a sigh of relief across the Midlands including Bewdley today as the floodwater began to ease away from their homes.

The River Severn peaked at just over 16 feet at around 7.30pm in Bewdley yesterday and levels were reported to be falling.

But in Worcester residents were bracing themselves as the high water moved down the river towards the city with levels expected to peak this afternoon. The Environment Agency has downgraded many of its alerts across the country but retained more than 50 flood warnings and one severe flood warning for the Severn at Bewdley.

Weather forecasters predicted the rain would ease off over the worst-affected areas in the Midlands and Yorkshire today. But heavy rain is expected in north-west England and Wales, and Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said further severe flood warnings for parts of the country could not be ruled out.

In Bewdley, flood defences were erected along Severn Side North and South as well as at Beales Corner. And today, Gill Holland, chairman of Bewdley Residents' Flood Committee said they had done their job and praised in particular the temporary barrier guarding homes in Wribbenhall.

She said: "It's been a long wait for us on the left bank while the engineered defences were completed on the other side of the river, but today the temporary barrier trial delivered real results to houses that have been at flood risk for centuries."

In Stourport staff and 22 residents at the Lickhill Manor Nursing Home were staying put despite water preventing access with fire and police officers continuing to make regular checks to ensure everyone was safe.

But residents of the nearby Lickhill Manor Caravan Park were evacuated yesterday as water covered their access road.

The Switchback between Bewdley and Stourport remains closed today and motorists were advised to use the bypass around Bewdley.

Environment Agency spokeswoman, Michelle Dolphin, said: "The water levels are going down at the moment in Bewdley and the high water is moving down the Severn towards Worcester. There is still a severe flood warning for Bewdley and we ask people to remain vigilent and check our website or call our floodline."