GREEN Party campaigners in Worcester welcomed the party’s deputy leader amid the city’s third flood since October.
Zack Polanski visited Worcester to hear first-hand from city councillors and campaigners grappling with the impact of the flooding earlier this month.
He met with councillors and community activists such as Jon Bodenham, a Cathedral community campaigner and Diglis resident, who highlighted the closure of the major active travel route along the River Severn.
Mr Bodenham said: “This key path for pedestrians and cyclists has been cut off due to the floods, severely disrupting commutes and daily life.”
“It also causes a huge amount of work in the clean-up operation.”
Coun Hannah Cooper, vice-chair of Place and Economic Development Committee on Worcester City Council highlighted the council’s grant programme for flood-affected businesses.
However, the sheer volume of applications – both from the current floods and the previous rounds – is a clear indication of the frequency and severity of these events.
Mr Polanski said: “The climate crisis is literally right here on people’s doorsteps.”
“The repeated flooding in Worcester serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for decisive action.
“We need to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure and embrace sustainable practices, not just react to floods after they happen.”
Speaking on Copenhagen Street, Mr Polanski emphasised the importance of electing more Green Party representatives in the upcoming local elections in May.
“With more Green councillors, we can ensure that Worcester prioritises environmental protection and builds a city that is both resilient and prepared for the challenges of a changing climate,” he added.
“The Green Party calls on Worcester City Council to invest in long-term solutions to reduce the impacts of future flooding including improving drainage and increased green infrastructure.
“A commitment to tackling the root cause of the problem – climate change – through ambitious emissions reduction targets and investment in renewable energy.”
