FLOOD defences to protect Powick from a repeat of the dramatic scenes witnessed in summer 2007 have moved a step closer to becoming a reality.

Funding for defences was secured after a major campaign by the Powick Flood Forum - backed by the Malvern Gazette - almost two years ago.

Now plans for the £765,000 scheme have been submitted, and the defences could be in place as soon as May.

If the proposals are approved then an existing flood bund to the west of the A449 will be raised, and a new one created on the other side of the road.

Powick Flood Forum founder Chris Wreghitt is delighted to have reached this stage in the process.

“It’s a really good feeling,” he said. “It’s taken a lot of hard work to get here and I think that the final scheme we now have takes into account everyone’s wishes.

“Obviously the effect of flooding for local residents is huge, but I think it’s also clear that when the road in Powick floods then it has a much wider impact.

“This is the main thoroughfare between Malvern and Worcester and when it is cut off it is probably a diversion of 40 or 50 miles, which causes huge problems for people trying to get to the hospital or simply to and from work.”

The Environment Agency’s plans were shown to members of Powick Parish Council last week.

EA representative Alisha Dexter told councillors: “We’re looking for it to go ahead and be completed around May next year. Work would start in March to do a lot of the clearance work but the majority would be in May.”

The plans are currently subject to a period of consultation before they are decided by Malvern Hills District Council. Details of the proposals are available at malvernhills.gov.uk.

A ‘walkabout’ meeting to talk interested parties through the scheme is being held on Wednesday (September 15), meeting at the Powick village bus shelter at 6.30pm.