EA Press Release January 2012

Date: Friday 20 January
Time: 10.45am for primary school and MP visit
(Viewing platform open to the public between 10am and 4pm)
Address: The viewing platform is at the end of Lower High Street, beside the King's Head Public House
Contact: Please can members of the media confirm their attendance with Press Office on 0121 711 5842

On Friday 20 January, the Environment Agency will be hosting a 'Heritage Day' in Upton-Upon-Severn. This will provide an opportunity for local school children and residents to watch their archaeological team excavating, and to learn more about recent historical discoveries in the town.

Towards the end of last year, the Environment Agency made a number of archaeological finds whilst excavating at the new flood defence wall at Waterside. Further excavations are now taking place in this area ahead of the construction team, to ensure that their detailed work will not slow down the flood defence project.

Local MP Harriett Baldwin and pupils from Upton-Upon-Severn Primary School will be attending the site at around 10.45am to learn more about the archaeological work and the flood defences. There will also be an exciting chance for them to be involved in a 'mock dig'.

For members of the public, a viewing platform will be open at the end of Bridge Street, beside the King's Head Public House. The team will be on site from 10am until 4pm. Environment Agency archaeologist Ed Wilson explained:

'The Environment Agency's archaeological work has provided an exciting opportunity to understand how Upton developed through the medieval and later periods. By examining the finds, we may be able to tell the population of Upton something about their local ancestors and how the town grew over the centuries.

'We have so far found the remains of old street surfaces and roadside walls, part of the bridge that marked the site of a Civil War skirmish, a long lost marker stone with letters cut into it, and part of a mid 19th century cemetery. The cemetery excavation was completed at the end of 2011. The remains have been removed and are now being examined by specialists before re-burial.

'We know that there have been at least three bridges crossing the river at Upton and we hope to be able to show evidence for them in the archaeological trench, not seen by anyone for at least 160 years.'

Progress on the flood defence scheme

The majority of the flood wall base between the Swan and Crimond Rose has now been completed. The contractor is currently building the reinforced concrete stem of the flood wall.

Due to the recent high river levels, the temporary stone bund that will be constructed in the river edge to support the quay wall adjacent to the Swan, is still to be constructed.

When the main work starts on the narrow section of road outside the Swan, there is an increased risk that the Environment Agency will not be able to deploy some or all of the temporary flood barriers. We will continue to monitor the situation throughout the works. When we expect high river levels we will issue a Flood Alert. After this, we will aim to confirm at least 24 hours before the River Severn comes out of its banks if all, part, or non of the temporary flood barriers can be used and issue a Flood Warning.