WEST Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has moved to quash rumours the Tenbury Wells Flood Defences Scheme could be abandoned due to rising costs.
Ms Baldwin recently met with Environment Agency and council bosses to assess how the scheme could be funded, given the increases in the costs of building materials.
She has urged the EA to press on with the scheme to protect Tenbury’s homes and businesses and to look to use local workers and materials to reduce costs.
Ms Baldwin said: “I remain totally committed to this scheme and I have been working closely with the Environment Agency to find a way to bring the budgets under control and ensure that it is affordable.
“In parallel, I have been working with local authority partners to see where we can find money to fill the funding gap and I hope that by buying smarter and using local resources, we can bring costs under control.
“I am also keen to share the message that I feel that it is essential that we press on with this scheme and submit it to planners for their approval as quickly as possible.
“Local people and local businesses have done an amazing job bouncing back from the 2020 floods and then Covid-19 and I feel it is essential that we commit to securing their long-term future, protected by a comprehensive flood defence scheme.”
