The web Upton website
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The web Upton website |
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Like most people who attended the meeting in the Memorial Hall on Friday 28th April, I was very heartened by what I heard about the Environment Agency's plans for temporary defences against flooding in the Town. I was particularly relieved to hear the assurances that because of the gradients of the ground, the proposed measures would not merely shift the flood water from one part of the Town to another. Clearly these defences will only work in 'normal' flood conditions. They will not be much help for instance with very severe flooding like the experience we had in November 2000. For most occasions the hope must now be that homes and businesses in Upton will be much better protected than has been the case up to now, particularly along the western waterfront. More permanent arrangements are I understand being considered to protect New Street. At the meeting on Friday 28th April, I asked whether the temporary barriers might be appropriate to protect the Hanley Road from flooding. I was told that the cost was not justified at present but that it might become so in the future. I have written to the County Council Highway Authority to ask them whether they might co-operate financially with the Environment Agency on this matter. The Hanley Road with its access to the Upton Bridge (one of the few crossing points of the Severn in Worcestershire) clearly has a strategic role for the flow of transport in the County. Keeping it open in the winter months must be important for the Highways Authority. A matter which has caused me deep concern, as I know it has for residents and visitors to Upton, has been the refusal of Malvern Hills District Council to keep open the public lavatories in the High Street. The adequate provision of public conveniences should, in my view, be a priority for a District authority. I am currently helping the Town Council to investigate the legality of the District Council's decision. I have in particular written to the appropriate Minister about this and am awaiting his reply. As your Member of Parliament I am always pleased to discuss local or national issues of concern. I can best be contacted by writing to me at the above address or by attending one of my monthly interview sessions at the Memorial Hall in Upton. Details can be found in the local press, by calling 01684 573469 or logging on to my website www.sirmichaelspicer.net. |