Upton Flood Defence Trials Will Go Ahead Despite Budget Cuts

12.07.55pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Aug 2006

Flood barrier trials will go ahead in Upton, but projects elsewhere are still under threat.

West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, has received assurances that trials for temporary flood barriers in Upton-Upon-Severn will go ahead according to schedule next month.

Mr Burt raised concerns with Environment Agency officials following the announcement of nearly £15 million in cuts to the flood defences budget ordered by Government, to be implemented over the next six months.

"I have received assurances from Anthony Perry, the Environment Agency's Area Flood Risk Manager, that trials for the temporary flood barriers in Upton will go ahead and that sufficient money will be available to utilise the barriers if they are needed to protect the town from flooding this winter.

"This is good news for Upton, but I have also been told that Defra are cutting the Environment Agency's Flood Defence Grant which will cause delays to projects elsewhere," said Richard Burt.