The University of Chester worked with suppliers Andel and Aquasition to support Local Flood Action Groups in Ashton Ingham (Herefordshire/Gloucestershire) Bucknell and Minsterley (Shropshire) to deploy early warning flood alert systems to help communities at risk of flash flooding.
The Ashton Ingham project had begun independently with University and Parish Council funding but was enhanced with RSPAWIR funding provided through the Wireless Innovation Grant. At Bucknell and Minsterley, the projects were wholly funded by the RSPAWIR. At Bucknell, the system was also deployed ahead of various planned Natural Flood Management projects and will enable a before and after comparison of their impact in future years.
In the final month of the programme, a small standalone project using a single sensor was established at Melverley to demonstrate what could be delivered on a shoestring.