SIR – It will come to a great relief for the residents of Hylton Road to know that these homes will never flood again, but what a scene of devastation to see all those fine mature trees chopped down. They will be greatly missed as will the riverside walk and pleasant views across the river.

By raising the river bank with this huge embankment in the event of another serious flood, are’nt they going to cause more flooding downstream?

I would think that huge quantities of water will be diverted.

Many people have written to the paper suggesting dredging the river bed, which hasn’t been done for decades. River bank erosion and soil from ploughed fields are all finding their way to the river.

Dredging would make a huge difference. Still common sense doesn’t prevail and appeals fall on deaf ears.

The word apathy by the river authority and environment agency comes to mind. It’s a pity the barges used for moving 12,000 tons of clay couldn’t be used to clear silt from the river bed.

JOHN WHITEHEAD, Worcester.