Shrewsbury Floods. River Severn to be Diverted out of shrewsbury
The River Severn which loops around the town of Shrewsbury is to be diverted in a multimillion pound project to prevent flooding. By joining up the river where the loop begins two miles of river can be removed protecting the town from the floods that cost millions every year. Shrewsbury Council also hopes removing the River Severn will reduce the mosquito problem affecting residents in riverside properties. The diverted river will run through a tunnel under the town and will be lit with halogen bulbs 12 hours a day for the benefit of migrating wildlife. Dr John Swallow of Shrewsbury University said "The tunnel needs to be lit to avoid confusing fish swimming through and to reduce the risk of predation by nocturnal species lurking in the dark". A small number of fishing permits for the tunnel will be available each year to help pay for maintenance. Public access will be limited to boats not exceeding 2 m and a toll will be imposed to help pay for construction. Cost of the toll is yet to be decided but likely to be in the region of £5.
 Map of River Severn Through Shrewsbury. |
 Proposed Diversion of River Severn avoiding Shrewsbury Town Center.
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 Floods will be stopped by removing river
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Work will start in 2010 and bring hundreds of much needed jobs to the region which are currently being advertised in Job centres in Poland, Romania and Bulgaria. Once drained the River Severn loop will be converted into a road to ease traffic congestion in Shrewsbury town centre. Work on road construction will start after the tunnel is completed to allow the river bed to dry out completely. Environmentalists praised the scheme claiming the floods make it difficult for plants and animals to survive the winter and limit biodiversity.
Critics argue the tunnel will increase the rat population and encourage anti-social behaviour such as cottaging and dogging in Shrewsbury. The police stated that most dogging occurs in the Quarry Park and Draining the river Severn and replacing with a road will lower the problem of antisocial behaviour in the park. |
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