Divers help save tunnel

Divers have been called in to assist with urgent repairs on an underwater tunnel in Bewdley which was in danger of flooding an entire estate if it collapsed.

The old brick tunnel, which runs under the main Kidderminster Road was slowly being washed away brick by brick, residents claim.

Two specialist divers were brought in to make their way through the culvert carrying out a complete visual inspection. Residents say bricks have been washed away in recent storms putting the whole structure in danger of collapsing.

A urgent operation, involving divers, was started last week to make it safe until full repairs can be carried out next year.

Plans are now being drawn up to replace not only the old culvert but also the road drains in work scheduled for next March. It is hoped that this will prevent the risk of both stream water and water off the highway flooding roads, gardens and even homes at the bottom of Queensway.

The culvert takes the flow of Riddings Brook, along with water from the highway drains, from the bottom of the Queensway estate into the open watercourse that runs through Churchfields.

The team sent from Worcestershire Highways last week took down a section of sandstone wall standing over the culvert. Temporary work was done to make it safe using concrete-filled sandbags.

Gill Holland of the Riddings Brook Committee said: "The threat of flooding from a catastrophic collapse of this culvert was really concerning us. We are really pleased that Highways managers have listened to our concerns and responded."