Homeowners urged to pay up for vital flood project

HOMEOWNERS in three Vale communities are being urged to pay up to help protect their homes from flooding.

County and district councillor Liz Eyre has joined forces with a fund-raising committee of residents from Broadway, Childswickham and Murcot to appeal for funding from homeowners so work can start on £3million flood storage area to help prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding in 2007.

The storage area will reduce the flood risk to a one in 75 year chance for 57 homes in Broadway and 215 in Childswickham and Murcot.

The appeal has been launched because of a £312,000 shortfall which the Environment Agency said needs to be raised by community fund-raising. Then the vital project can be included in their national programme of flood works.

Funding has already been pledged by the Environment Agency's regional flood and coastal committee and other sources but residents now need to step in before the plans can move forward.

More than 1,400 homeowners in Broadway and 283 in Childswickham (including Murcot) have been sent letters asking them to donate at least £100.

The appeal caused controversy at a Broadway Parish Council meeting held last Thursday (January 19) with councillors saying it was wrong to ask for money in this way and felt it should be covered as part of their council tax payments.

But Coun Liz Eyre said the appeal had been made because it was an Environment Agency scheme and not being funded by the district or county council.

"I am disappointed funding remains a challenge but understand that we are in a period of austerity and community contributions are part of the process," she told the Observer. "It’s hard to ask for funds in these times but it is harder not to try.

"I will do all I can to support the committee in other ways of raising funds. There is support trickling in terms of the requested amounts and volunteer support to help raise more. This shows the strength of community in these villages and I hope and pray it continues."

A record of all households, individuals, businesses contributing will be kept on file so that money can be returned, should the project not be fulfilled.

A spokesman from the Environment Agency said: "The Badsey Brook scheme is heavily dependent on government funding and all Defra schemes must now have an element of local funding.

"Already £570,000 of local county/district/flood levy board money has been pulled together but this leaves a shortfall of £312,000. To access the Government funding the community will need to raise the additional contributions."