Commitments to improve the ecology of the River Severn’s water have been welcomed by a Shropshire MP.

Shrewsbury MP Julia Buckley ­– alongside Councillor Kate Halliday who represents the Belle Vue Ward in the town – have welcomed assurances from Severn Trent that ongoing investment will improve river health.

During a visit to the Coleham Pumping Station heritage museum and Severn Trent’s sewage pumping station, which is next to the museum, potential solutions to river flooding and closer collaboration with the local authority and Environment Agency were discussed.

The meeting followed a Belle Vue Community Meeting which brought together the Environment Agency, Shropshire Council, and Severn Trent focusing on river health, flooding, and planning for growth.

Severn Trent is investing £250 million between 2025 and 2050 to improve the waste network across Shrewsbury. This includes Investing in the current waste network and to reduce spills from combined sewer overflows, which the MP sought further assurances on.

Combined sewers carry both sewage and rainwater and are a vital part of the sewerage system. During heavy rain, these sewers can sometimes overflow into water courses, rather than sewage backing up and flooding homes and businesses.

Joe Plimmer, Severn Trent’s Wastewater Recycling Manager, said: “It was a great opportunity to showcase our strategic sewage pumping station, to give assurances about its resilience and capacity during flooding events, and to discuss how we collaborate with other agencies to mitigate pollution when flooding impacts the Coleham area.”

“We are working alongside partners including the Environment Agency, which is responsible for flood defences; and Shropshire Council, to reduce surface water run-off from roads and developments.”

Mrs Buckley, who is also chair of the River Severn MP Caucus, said: “It was great to meet the team from Severn Trent Water and learn more about the resilience of Coleham Pumping Station, amongst other waste assets in the town.

“River water quality and flooding are two very important concerns for residents and it was useful to set out plans for more investment to improve drainage and sewerage for Shrewsbury, this is how we will ultimately reduce both sewage pollution and flooding, so it was a welcome and productive meeting.”

Councillor Kate Halliday said: “It was good to visit the Coleham Pumping Station and meet with Severn Trent to understand both the heritage of the site and the vital role the modern system plays in protecting our community today.

“As a councillor, I’m keen to see continued investment in both flood resilience and water infrastructure, particularly because of the problems we face in Coleham. And any support to our wonderful local Pumping Station would be welcome too.”

Investment in the local network by Severn Trent will support the pumping station to help it meet the challenges of climate change and growing customer demand.

Severn Trent also agreed to work closely with the MP on her hopes to change the law with a Parliamentary Bill to improve rainwater reuse and sustainable drainage for new housing developments.

Severn Trent’s Andrew Fairburn said: “We are really pleased to be working collaboratively with Julia as she leads the way to bring forward measures that would make new housing more sustainable – reducing the impact on nature and lowering flood risk. We look forward to supporting her with this work.

“We have also said we would explore how we might support the museum in the future.”

The museum, now owned by Shropshire County Council and run by volunteers from the Shrewsbury Steam Trust, was built between 1897 and 1901 and resembles a Victorian gothic chapel. It houses two beautifully preserved steam-driven beam engines, which operated continuously until they were decommissioned in 1970.