Monday, September 15, 2008, 08:00
They say not enough has been done to prevent flooding in the town after last summer's deluge.
More than 200 people wore blue protest T-shirts and waved banners calling for more action by local and central government to ensure their homes are safe.
The protesters gathered for the demonstration at Gloucester Road car park on Saturday. They were joined by a civic officials, including Tewkesbury borough mayor Coun Brian Calway and Canon Paul Williams, vicar at Tewkesbury Abbey.
There were cheers as organisers rallied support and urged residents to keep up pressure on the Government to invest in flood defence.
And calls went up to put a stop to thousands of new homes proposed for the area.
The event was organised by the Severn and Avon Valley Combined Flood Group, which has been set up to press for change in local and central government policy.
Stuart Strathearn, chairman of the group, said: "This is a protest to show our dissatisfaction. Not enough is being done in Gloucestershire to improve drainage and to stop building on the floodplain.
"Unbelievably, central government has given a directive to build 14,600 houses in Tewkesbury borough, through its Draft Regional Spatial Strategy.
"It adds insult to injury. Where will these houses go and what affect will it have on our homes? There is a feeling that people in Tewkesbury have been forgotten."
A cheque for £110 was presented at the rally to the flood group from the sale of commissioned blue T-shirts in a bid to show solidarity and raise money if it's needed.
Coun Calway said: "Today was important because flooding is a huge issue in Tewkesbury and unless the concerns of local people are addressed these protests will continue.
"The Government is not fulfilling its promise to give adequate resources to Tewkesbury."
Canon Williams added: "I totally support this demonstration. We're now turning to our policy-makers to focus on a change of policy in areas of drains, dredging and development.
"Tewkesbury has helped itself and now it needs a bit more help."
Maggie Thornton, who lives in Abbey Terrace and has spent £5,000 on flood defences for her house, said: "Every time it rains people panic. We will not tolerate it forever.
"England is being covered in concrete and Tewkesbury is no exception. We need to tackle the Government over the Regional Spatial Strategy and say no to these plans."
The protest is also being undertaken in support of Abbey Terrace residents who were called by the Environment Agency in the middle of the night during heavy rainfall last week and told to prepare for flooding.
More than 56,000 new homes could be built over the next two decades across the county, under the regional development blueprint. Tewkesbury would see 14,600 built by 2026 – the most of any of Gloucestershire's districts.
Click here to read their views.