Sandbag policy
During a flood event there are a range of ways you can make your property more resilient to flooding. In some cases, if used properly, sandbags can be used to divert flood water away from property or provide some protection for a short period of time. They're not effective however at protecting property against deep flood water or where flood water sits against sandbags for a prolonged period. Sandbags are also difficult to handle and troublesome to dispose of.
If you think you're at risk of flooding, don't rely on sandbags as a way to protect your home or business. If you live or work in an area that may be at risk of flooding, you should make sure that you're prepared for this before the flood happens.
We're under no statutory duty to provide sandbags to the general public. Despite this, we'll support residents where possible to ensure that they're appropriately prepared for flooding.
The guidance below sets out how we'll make sandbags available to property owners across the county.
Sandbag availability
We hold limited stocks of sandbags for collection by the public at our highways depots around the county.
Supply is on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and limited to ten sandbags per collection. Please consider the needs of others when collecting sandbags and don’t take more than you need. Please ensure that your vehicle is suitable to transport the weight of sandbags that you're collecting.
If you're collecting sandbags outside of office hours, we maintain a limited supply outside of the site compound. As above these are available on a ‘first come, first served’ basis and will only be replenished during office hours.
Sandbag delivery
During storm events our highways teams are fully engaged in responding to flooding across the county. As a result, there's limited additional resource available to deliver sandbags to properties, particularly out of office hours. By the time sandbags arrive at a property it's often too late for them to be effective, and it's also difficult for crews to reach properties if flooding is affecting the highway network.
Delivery of sandbags to individual properties will only be undertaken in exceptional circumstances where the flooding is being caused directly by the public highway* or where requested by the emergency services. Where sandbags are delivered they will be prioritised to protect life and critical infrastructure, and then habitable areas of buildings. We won't deliver sandbags if flooding is being caused by a river/watercourse or run-off from land.
Due to resource pressures we can't guarantee that sandbags will be delivered during a flood event.
*Flooding from the public highway includes issues caused by blocked gullies, blocked culverts under the highway, or highway drainage capacity issues. Some capacity issues can however be caused by run-off from land exceeding the capacity of the highway drainage network.
Community flood action plans
In areas where a local flood action group has been established, or where a parish council is willing to work on behalf of a community, we may provide a limited number of sandbags to be stored in an agreed location for distribution during a flood event. This approach means that sandbags are available when they're most needed, and when they can be more effectively used.
Sandbags will only be provided as part of a community flood action plan where suitable storage in a neutral place accessible to all can be identified, and where agreements on fair distribution and suitable storage can be made among the local community. To discuss the creation of a flood action group for your area please contact flood@shropshire.gov.uk
Sandbag storage
Sandbags will degrade if left outside or in direct sunlight. When storing sandbags, they should ideally be kept in a shed or a garage. If you're unable to store sandbags inside they should be placed under a waterproof tarpaulin or in a location where they won't be exposed to the elements (sandbags deteriorate more quickly when wet).
Please bear in mind that sandbags can be heavy to transport from storage to the area where they're needed. If you're unable to move sandbags on your own, please make arrangements with a family member or neighbour to assist you.
Sandbag disposal
Those collecting/receiving sandbags will be responsible for their disposal. We won't collect sandbags after an event.
Sandbags that have come into contact with flood water must be disposed of as they'll be contaminated. You should always wear gloves when handling and disposing of used sandbags, and wash hands thoroughly in warm soapy water afterwards.
Disposal should be via the ‘non-recyclable waste’ section at a local recycling centre.
Never allow children to play with the sand from sandbags or place it in sand pits. The type of sand used in sandbags isn't suitable for this purpose, and it may also be contaminated.
Other sources of sandbags
If we're unable to supply sandbags in advance of any flood event you should make your own arrangements to purchase your own sandbags from your local builders' merchants.
Alternative measures to protect your property from flooding are also available.