Video transcript: different viewpoints – David1
The flood defence (1)

Q:   How do you feel about the new flood defences?

David:  The flood defences are the best thing that’s happened to Bewdley for years. It’s changed the lives of everybody, certainly this side of the bridge, because the inevitable happened to us; every 12 months we would expect flood water in the house.  And it’s a tremendous mental strain, and a physical strain to get all your personal belongings safe and sound.  And to have the mental pressure off you is a wonderful thing, and it’s down to a fantastic piece of engineering, which is faultless.  I was expecting a lot of water in the house this year when the barrier was instated, and we didn’t get a drop!  And it’s a peace of mind which I didn’t expect.  It’s wonderful.

Q:  I notice that you have got a ‘For Sale’ sign up.  Why are you moving now?

David:  After 14 years of living in the town, we now are moving.  It may seem a strange thing to say, but I would never have considered moving from Bewdley while this house flooded.  It’s been a very good and kind cottage to us over the years, and we have an attachment with it, and I couldn’t have left it thinking it would still have flooded.  But now I am confident that this house will never flood again, I don’t feel like I have got to look after it any more, and because of the barrier, the property is now saleable, and we’ve been able to put it on the market, which means we can go on to a new challenge in life, and my wife has a new job down south, so – a new future, and thanks to a very successful flood defence.