Spa escapes worst of the flooding

By Rob George Friday 30 November 2012 Updated: 10/12 09:50

The view from Droitwich Spa High School with the town's leisure centre in the background. Picture by Andy Shaw

DROITWICH appeared to escape the worst of the flooding which hit the county over the weekend and early this week.

Despite numerous road closures and disruption to services, the town did not see a repeat of the devastation which struck the town in 2007.

Heavy rainfall saw homes and businesses flooded in areas surrounding the town, including Worcester and Kempsey.

Buses were unable to serve Himbleton because of flood water with the number 356, 357 and 358 services all having to avoid the village due to the problem.

The A449 at Ombersley was closed in both direction on Sunday (November 25) because of heavy rainfall while there were severe delays on the A38 out of the town last Thursday (November 22) because of a fallen tree.

And the pictures shown here sent in by Andy Shaw highlight the amount of water around the town’s leisure centre and High School.

Other flooding was reported near the Westlands and in Vines Park where water levels in the canal are still high.

Wychavon District Council handed out more than 4,000 sandbags to residents in a bid to protect homes and businesses throughout the district.

Spa residents could pick up the sandbags at the town’s Lido car park and council leader Paul Middlebrough said early indications showed the amount of properties affected was dramatically reduced.

“Residents are without a doubt better prepared and flood alleviation schemes, certainly in Wychavon, have done their job saving hundreds of residents from the pain and destruction that can be caused.

“We’ve worked with landowners to get ditches cleared regularly, taking action where needed and supplied flood grants to residents who needed help with flood gates and other equipment,” he added