Shropshire farmers consulted on water resilience
By the demoduck.co.uk news desk
The Severn Valley Water Management Scheme team used the 2026 Shropshire County Show to speak directly with farmers, landowners and rural businesses about flood risk, drought resilience and future water management across the Upper Severn catchment.
More than 40 visitors spoke with the team during the show, with discussions focused on the scheme’s Demonstrator Programme. The programme, managed by Shropshire Council, is testing how more joined-up water management could reduce flooding, strengthen dry-weather resilience and support the wider environment.
County show talks with farmers
Pete Lambert, SVWMS Demonstrator Programme Manager, said the show gave the team a chance to answer questions and hear directly from people working on the land.
“We’re working closely with farmers and landowners across Shropshire and Powys, and events like this help us explain why a more balanced, long-term approach to water management is needed,” he said.
The team was also joined by colleagues from the National Flood Forum, which supports communities at risk of flooding.
Why dredging came up repeatedly
One of the main issues raised at the stand was river dredging. The SVWMS team told visitors that although dredging can appear to offer a straightforward answer, large-scale dredging does not always reduce flood risk and can sometimes create further problems, including separating rivers from their floodplains.
Instead, the scheme is looking at a mix of measures. These include natural flood management, land use change and engineered work where it is considered appropriate.
Testing future options for the Upper Severn
Tom Dainty, Shropshire Council deputy Cabinet member with responsibility for flooding, said the Demonstrator Programme was examining practical nature-based solutions that could protect communities while supporting biodiversity and the rural economy.
The SVWMS is a cross-border initiative led by the Environment Agency with Natural Resources Wales, Powys County Council and Shropshire Council, and funded by Defra. It is developing a water management strategy for the Upper Severn that could inform similar work elsewhere.
The scheme said it will continue engagement over the coming months as options for a future water management strategy are developed.
Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom
Source check Source trail
This report was prepared from Shropshire Council’s published account of the SVWMS presence at the 2026 Shropshire County Show.
- Checked the named scheme, programme and partner organisations against the source item.
- Kept the reported visitor figure as more than 40, as stated by the source.
- Attributed comments to Pete Lambert and Tom Dainty with their stated roles.
- Limited the geographic scope to Shropshire, Powys and the Upper Severn catchment described...
- Source
- Shropshire Council Newsroom
- Scope
- Shropshire and Powys
- Updated
- 2026-05-26 16:44
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