A project is progressing to reduce the flood risk to homes and businesses.

The Severn Rivers Trust started work at Guilsfield Brook in spring 2022.

The work is part of the Severn Valley Water Management Scheme demonstrator projects, which are managed by Shropshire Council under the River Severn Partnership.

The project is using natural flood management to reduce flood risk to a number of homes as well as the B4392 and A490 roads.

It will also provide information on the economic benefits of soil and water management on rural land.

Matt Marston, programme manager for the Severn Rivers Trust, said: "Our work along the Guilsfield Brook catchment has involved installing a suite of interventions on farmland in the catchment to support flood risk reduction by increasing the time it takes for rainwater to reach our river network.

"Our monitoring shows that these solutions, such as our ‘cut and drop’ leaky dams, where we have used natural woody material to create dams that silt up naturally to slow the watercourse and create a more controlled release, are already working.

"We are also working with farmers on soil management.

"Measures include sward lifting, which allows more oxygen into grass roots, which helps absorb rainfall and reduce waterlogging of fields.

"This can also have benefits for farm businesses, as it can increase grass growth and reduce irrigation and fertiliser costs."

The results and learnings from the Guilsfield Brook project will inform the wider Severn Valley Water Management Scheme, which intends to incorporate catchment-based approaches to reduce flood risk for "up to 3,000 properties and 1,000 businesses" across the upper and middle Severn.

More information is available at https://newsroom.shropshire.gov.uk/2024/11/works-progressing-on-guilsfield-brook-water-management-project/