Ludlow has suffered serious damage from flooding over the years. The floods of 2007 swept away Burway Bridge and an adjacent house. There has been a lot of work to improve Ludlow’s flood resilience since then.
This does not mean that Ludlow is free from flood risk. Rapidly rising rivers and flash flooding from fields and roads still pose a threat. Our climate is changing and deluges of rain are becoming more common. Ludlow is expanding with several hundred new homes expected to be built in the next ten years. As public funds run short, management of river banks and waterways is being reduced. This can only increase flood risk.
Until the unitary council, Ludlow ran a very successful flood forum. We are now considering recreating that. The initial meeting will be held next Tuesday, 19 April, 5pm at the Ludlow Foyer, Marston Mill. This is just beside the Tesco car park.
This will be an informal and open meeting. We will be looking at wide range of ideas and actions that can be taken to reduce flood risk. Work is already underway upstream of Ludlow to slow water flowing towards the town. New developments could be asked to do more to slow water flows under sustainable drainage schemes (SuDS). Ludlow town centre residents are looking at the feasibility of a river bailiff scheme. There will be, I am sure, many other ideas that we can pursue in the next months and years, either through the flood forum or other groups.
Everyone is invited to this meeting. It is being held under the auspices of the Ludlow and Clee Local Joint Committee. Councillor Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s portfolio holder for rural communities will be attending. Jayne Disley will talk about the Culmington Flood Action Group.
Andy Boddington, Shropshire Councillor for Ludlow North and chair of Ludlow and Clee Local Joint Committee.
Is there any chance that this meeting could be held at a time when those of us with full time jobs could attend?