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Tonnes of debris removed from flooded River Severn Tonnes of debris removed from flooded River Severn
(about 9 hours later)
More than 500 tonnes of debris washed down by the floods has been pulled from the River Severn in Worcestershire, county council officials said. More than 500 tonnes of debris washed down by the floods has been pulled from the River Severn in Worcestershire, county council officials have revealed.
A mechanical digger was brought in to recover the debris, which included 30ft (9m) trees ripped up by the waters.A mechanical digger was brought in to recover the debris, which included 30ft (9m) trees ripped up by the waters.
Several roads are still shut in the city, including Hylton Road between Henwick Road and Worcester Bridge. Several roads remain shut in Worcester, including part of Hylton Road.
Worcestershire County Council said the clean-up operation was progressing well. City council leader Adrian Gregson has called on the government to fund a second bridge across the River Severn to keep traffic moving in the future.
"The River Severn floods regularly and we need to ensure our great city's businesses do not suffer every time it happens," he said.
Jon Fraser, from Worcestershire County Council, said the clean-up operation was progressing well.
'Tip of the iceberg''Tip of the iceberg'
Jon Fraser, from the council, said: "We estimate we've got about 500 tonnes' worth of material - most of it trees. "We estimate we've got about 500 tonnes' worth of material - most of it trees," he said.
"But we've also come across parts of a shed, we've had a wheelie bin and a beer barrel. There's all sorts.""But we've also come across parts of a shed, we've had a wheelie bin and a beer barrel. There's all sorts."
Mr Fraser added the piles of debris visible on the water's surface was "just the tip of the iceberg" and was stacked up to 9ft (3m) deep. Mr Fraser said the piles of debris visible on the water's surface were "just the tip of the iceberg" and it was up to 9ft (3m) deep in some places.
Across the county, the bridges in Upton-upon-Severn and Bewdley remain closed.Across the county, the bridges in Upton-upon-Severn and Bewdley remain closed.
Supt Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: "Bewdley Bridge will remain closed for the next few days."Supt Kevin Purcell, of West Mercia Police, said: "Bewdley Bridge will remain closed for the next few days."
Dave Throup, of the Environment Agency, said flood levels were slowly falling across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.Dave Throup, of the Environment Agency, said flood levels were slowly falling across Worcestershire and Herefordshire.
He added about 50 homes had been flooded in the city, with a similar number in rural Worcestershire and another 30 in neighbouring Herefordshire.He added about 50 homes had been flooded in the city, with a similar number in rural Worcestershire and another 30 in neighbouring Herefordshire.
However, he said flood defences built since the previous major flood of 2007 had protected about 1,300 homes along the River Severn.However, he said flood defences built since the previous major flood of 2007 had protected about 1,300 homes along the River Severn.