Frequent Flooding Threatens Ironbridge Rowing Club’s Future

A rowing club has stated that its existence is jeopardized due to experiencing nine flooding incidents within a two-year period. Following the recent Storm Darragh, the boathouse belonging to Ironbridge Rowing Club was submerged under approximately 5.5ft (1.67m) of water. Club members take action to relocate and secure their boats whenever a flood risk arises, aiming to prevent damage or loss, given the club’s inability to cover replacement costs. Stewart Plant, the club’s captain, stated, “If we lost all those boats tomorrow we’d close.” The organization operates solely through volunteers and charges its junior members approximately £1.33 for each session. The cost to replace only the sculls, which are the club’s smallest and most economical boats, would be around £120,000. Mr. Plant expressed apprehension that recurring flooding incidents could discourage future generations from participating in rowing. He commented, “It’s a constant battle of keeping members, retaining them, when we can’t get out and do what we love.” Mr. Plant added, “If somebody loves a sport, and you get told you can’t do that for six months of the year because the river’s going to flood, then it’s a real impact on you.” The club is currently exploring the option of utilizing a shipping container for boat storage, funded by a grant from Telford and Wrekin’s flood recovery fund. Mr. Plant stated, “We’ve already lost three weeks of the season so far, just from the previous two storms, and that affects the training and effects how we go forwards.” He further noted that the financial consequences of losing the boats also pose a risk to the safety of its members. He remarked, “If something happens here, everybody gets in their cars.” Mr. Plant recounted, “[On] Sunday morning, we actually drove down here after all the trees had come down overnight, trying to find a route to get to the rowing club to save our boats, because we knew the flood was coming.” A significant number of individuals must enter the river water to re-secure equipment once water levels drop, a practice Mr. Plant identified as a health hazard. He explained, “What we’re left with now after the flood… is all the waste from the river that’s been brought up.” Although the River Severn in Ironbridge received bathing status earlier in 2024, its latest assessment by the Environment Agency categorized the water quality as poor, rendering it unsuitable for bathing.