Flood debris chokes bridge

SO MUCH debris has been washed downstream on the Severn that Worcester Bridge is choked.

Neither the Canal & River Trust (CART) nor the Environment Agency would do anything about it due to the state of the river, but volunteers in a boat worked yesterday (Thursday) to clear it, Alan Tilbury reveals.

Unknown

The volunteers were unknown, with spokesmen from the authorities, including the city council,  stating they knew nothing about it.

The debris was trapped under the bridge, comprising of tonnes of trees, branches, rubbish and sludge that have been washed down river in the continuing floods of the past weeks.

Impossible to remove

It was last week that a spokesman for CART stated that it was impossible to remove the debris as the river was not navigable, but it would be removed when the flood subsided and it was safe to do so.

Nick Worthington, CART Waterways Manager stated:

"With the dangerously high water levels, this stretch of the Severn is currently closed. I would ask people to respect this closure and remain off the water, no matter how good their intentions might be."

Obviously the volunteers felt otherwise, with the debris now cleared.