Calls for flood defences in Stourport after 98 caravans evacuated

Nearly 100 caravans were evacuated in Wyre Forest as a result of flooding over the weekend and residents, who are now staying in the local Travelodge, say barriers are needed to stop this from becoming an annual event.

Lee Sutton, who lives at Redstone Caravan Park in Stourport, had to stay in a hotel for four months after last year's floods caused over £14,000 worth of damage to his home.

He says residents at the site feel "forgotten about", while the Environment Agency works on plans for £4.3 million permanent flood defences at Beales Corner.

Lee, aged 60, said: "There are 300 units on our site alone and 40 of us living there all year round and our homes are being damaged left, right and centre.

"We were completely flooded last February and the insurance paid out thousands in damage and for our hotel bills, but now a lot of us can't get insurance because of the damage done last year.

"We haven't been able to get back onto the site yet to see what damage has been done this time, but we've got to pay a £5,000 excess before they'll look at giving us anything.

The floods at Redstone Caravan Park in Stourport

"We're staying at the Travelodge at the moment and it's full of people whose homes have been flooded. A lot of the people living in the caravans in Stourport are in their 70s or 80s, I feel awful for them.

"You hear loads about Bewdley and them needing better flood barriers, but you don't hear anything about Stourport because we get forgotten about.

"These are our homes and we've had enough. The caravan parks need some kind of barriers too so we're not on tenterhooks every time it rains."

The Environment Agency said it would be considering the potential for flood risk management schemes at several locations on the back of the recent floods, but didn't say if Stourport was included.

Dave Edwards, team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “Every home flooded is a tragedy for that family and our hearts go out to all those who have been flooded. 

Flooding at Redstone Caravan Park in Stourport

“Storm Christoph brought a phenomenal amount of rain on top of a very wet December. February last year was the wettest on record. The levels we saw from that flooding were amongst the highest ever and this sadly caused flooding to homes.

“We will be considering the potential for flood risk management schemes at a number of locations on the back of the recent flooding.

"Working with our partners, we are assessing all those impacted communities which may be eligible for government funding for projects as part of our new six year programme.”

Leader of Wyre Forest District Council, Councillor Graham Ballinger said: “Sadly we are aware of 34 properties in Bewdley and 14 in Stourport which were affected by flooding caused by Storm Christoph on Friday, January 22. 98 caravan homes were also evacuated.

“We understand it must be devastating for people to have their homes flooded like this again following the flooding in 2020.

Read more:

• MP: Bewdley floods prove temporary barriers not good enough
• 'Get Bewdley done now' - Desperate calls for barriers after floods

“We will continue to support residents affected by flooding to get them back onto their feet.

"Our operational services team has been working hard clearing up after the flood to make sure roads and pavements are safe.

"We are also offering a free bulky waste collection service to help people remove any flood damaged items.

“We are asking any affected residents and businesses to contact our customer services hub on 01562 732928 so we get a complete picture of who has been affected and how.

"For more information on flooding, an opportunity to complete North Worcestershire Water Management’s flooding survey and details on help available please visit wyreforestdc.gov.uk/flooding.”