A BEWDLEY resident fears the town could be plunged into the “dark ages” if barriers designed to protect properties from flooding are removing.

Irene Buxton claims that the Environment Agency’s plan to remove the temporary barriers at Beales Corner and Wribbenhall would devastate properties, result in raw sewage to float along streets and leave residents stranded in the event of flooding.

A review carried out by the Environment Agency into the Beales Corner Flood Defence scheme concluded that the barriers, installed as part of a trial in 2007, should be replaced by a ‘Property Level Solution’ which will provide 30 ‘at-risk’ homes with measures such as flood gates and removable doors.

But Mrs Buxton, aged 63, said: “This just feels like a cost-cutting exercise by the Environment Agency.

“Everyone can see that the barriers work when we get poor weather. Since they were installed we have seen no sewage floating down the street and houses have been protected.

“I have lived here for many years and remember the ‘pre-barrier’ days. We had to deal with the after effects of raw sewage in the area and people were left trapped in their homes. It was like the dark ages and removing the barriers will see us going back there.

“Property Level Protection will not help as many residents already have measures similar to this at their homes.”

A spokesman for the Environment Agency said the review found that Property Level Protection would provide greater protection for more properties, cause less disruption to the town and is the most cost effective.

He said: “In our review of the temporary barrier trial, future flood risk management options have been considered on technical, environmental and economic grounds. “The temporary barriers provide low level and limited flood protection to 19 properties. In a larger flood event, water will exceed barriers and flood properties at this location. Any flood event larger than that of the February event this year could exceed the barriers and could cause a serious risk to life.

“Additional risks identified with the use of temporary barriers in this location are failure to deploy the barriers in time, operational failure, barrier sliding and seepage. “In the seven year trial period since 2007, the barriers have been deployed ten times due to potential flooding. The barriers protected property on three of those occasions.

“Property Level Protection can be tailored to meet the needs of individual properties and would provide a higher level of protection to a greater number of properties at risk.”

The Environment Agency held two drop-in sessions in Bewdley earlier this month to demonstrate Property Level Protection measures and address concerns raised by residents.

Anyone with any concerns can contact Dan Wilkinson, Flood Risk Management Officer on 01562 534177 or via dan.wilkinson@environment-agency.gov.uk