BURT CALLS ON SEVERN TRENT TO KICKSTART TENBURY FLOOD DEFENCE FUNDS WITH £0.5M
September 1, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats
Originally published by West Midlands Liberal Democrats
Tenbury's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt has called on Severn Trent bosses to 'kick-start' funding for Tenbury's flood defences by re-directing up to £0.5m currently earmarked for another scheme.
Mr Burt earlier called for all the agencies to pull together to fund the £4m scheme, but hopes were recently dashed when Advantage West Midlands shelved plans for financial support.
Mr Burt has backed residents in Coles Green near Leigh Sinton who say that Severn Trent are planning to waste up to £500,000 on a completely unnecessary sewage treatment plant for just 12 nearby homes.
"The plant was originally planned to solve a pollution problem that no longer exists," said Mr Burt.
"I have written to Seven Trent and pointed out that the money would be far better directed towards kick-starting Tenbury's bid for flood defences.
"If Severn Tent made this commitment, the County Council could be asked to match fund and then the Environment Agency would have a far stronger case for funding the remaining cost of the scheme.
"Somehow we need to break the logjam on funding for Tenbury. This is just one way that it might be done and I hope that Severn Trent will give my idea serious consideration."
Mr Burt will also write again to the Environment Minister, Hilary Benn to ask why Tenbury did not receive its share of a further £9.5m allocated to local authorities to combat water drainage problems announced last month, and is encouraging Council Leaders on Malvern Hills District Council and Worcestershire County Council to bid for further money.
"Tenbury was flooded four times in sixteen months and businesses are still closing. The town must not be left to sink again," added Mr Burt.
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