Flood defence projects welcomed by Midlanders
The government has announced a multi-million-pound fund to introduce new flood defences and improve some existing ones.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs says the more than 50 planned schemes in the region are ready to go and says work could begin later this year.
Businesses and homes along the River Severn are to benefit from a share.
The news has been welcomed by Midlanders like Brooke Evans from Coalbrookdale in Shropshire, who only opened her salon last December and it's already flooded five times.
The £170m package will see work start on 22 other projects this year. They include:
George Eustice MP, Environment Secretary says the move will help protect over 330,000 homes.
Streets in Tenbury Wells were submerged in February this year. Dave Throup, Environment Agency said: "This money will really allow us to get the flood scheme there going.
"We'll be consulting with the community over the next few months in terms of how we can progress that but I'm really delighted with that news."
In the East Midlands, businesses and homes were also hit by flooding over the winter and are to get new defences to help protect them.
Among the areas to benefit will be the village of Lowdham in Nottinghamshire, along with Derby and parts of the Peak District.
Phil Brewster explains the effects of flooding to one family from Lowdham:
Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously faced criticism for his handling of flooding, with Fire and rescue service union leaders describing it as a 'shambles'.
The move now comes after months of lobbying by local leaders for government to give better protection to avoid a repeat of the events earlier this year.
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