IRONBRIDGE BARRIERS REPAIRED

DAMAGED flood defences in Ironbridge, Shropshire, will be repaired in time for the next peak on the River Severn after doing “a really, really good job” standing up to near-record water levels.

The Environment Agency said a small number of sections of a 500-metre temporary barrier in the Wharfage area of the town were being replaced and reassembled to prepare for possible further flooding in the coming days.

Speaking to the media on the 18thcentury bridge which gives the town its name, Environment Agency manager Tim Norton said every part of the defences – some of which buckled on Wednesday before hitting kerbstones – would be inspected.

As engineers unloaded a lorry carrying replacement metal panels, Mr Norton told reporters: “Those few parts that have been damaged will be replaced.

“We are thinking that process will take us through today and into tomorrow. Most of the barrier has not been damaged.”

Looking ahead after two recent peaks in the Severn at Ironbridge, including a gauge reading of 6.8 metres on Wednesday, Mr Norton said: “With rain falling now we are expecting the river to rise again on Sunday but not to be as high as we have seen.

“The ongoing winter and the rain that seems to keep on falling is a concern.”

Stressing that towns along the Severn were “not out of the woods” yet, Mr Norton urged people to continue to heed flood warnings and advice from the emergency services.