Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment has been conducted on the effectiveness of flood defences during the last flooding experienced by Shrewsbury.

During the significant flood event in February 2022, Coleham Head and Frankwell flood defences were deployed, together protecting over 150 properties. Once again, these schemes proved to be highly effective at alleviating flooding to properties, businesses and infrastructure. Information to date confirms that approximately 50 to 100 properties were impacted in Shrewsbury and the surrounding area, both residential and non-residential.

After a flood event, the defences are assessed by EA asset inspectors to ensure they continue to perform as intended. Following these inspections in Shrewsbury, some minor ingress was discovered consistent with assets of this age. Action has already been taken with consultants who have carried out investigations and drawn up remediation plans for implementation by EA contractors this year to ensure the defences remain in excellent condition.