Residents get together to relaunch Ludlow Flood Forum

Following the floods which devastated some homes in the town in February this year, local residents have got together to relaunch the Ludlow Flood Forum with the aim of preventing future flooding in the historic town.

“Ludlow’s original  Flood Forum was once a vibrant and active group. Now is the time to revive and relaunch this group and for it to be formally re-affiliated with the National Flood Forum,” explained Sarah Dixon, whose home in Corve Street was badly flooded on February 16th.

“Working together as Ludlow Flood Forum will give us the status of an active, official working group, gaining the status and recognition that we need to work alongside Government agencies, local Councils, the Highways Authority and the water company, Severn Trent.”

Ludlow has already been identified as in need of a water management study through the ‘Accelerated Study Project scheme’ which was brought into place by the Government after the floods in February 2020. The study is duty bound to incorporate relevant Government bodies, Local Flood Forums and voluntary agencies undertaking work that impacts flooding. 

For Ludlow to achieve the best outcome through the government’s accelerated study, it is essential that the town’s residents engage with the process, working with Government agencies to ensure the study’s actions are implemented and future flooding prevented as far as possible.  

“The best way for us residents to engage and support the work is for an action plan to be developed, which will enable us to drive the study from the town’s perspective,” said Sarah Dixon.

“We have already started to develop a draft action plan. After the February 2020 flood, Corve St residents were invited to a meeting in The Unicorn to discuss what had happened and any concerns that residents may have. As a result, a list of concerns was compiled to form the beginning of our action plan. We now need to develop these concerns to encompass the whole of the town and formalise the action plan. This is crucially important in preventing future flooding.“ 

If you would like to be involved with Ludlow Flood Forum, either as a member or as an active committee member, or advisor, email S.mdixon@hotmail.co.uk.