UPTON'S MP has hailed the success of a new roundabout at the edge of the town.

Harriett Baldwin, the MP for West Worcestershire, is pleased with the Upton Roundabout, having campaigned for road improvements on the A38 since she was elected.

The roundabout will face its first major test next month with the opening of the RHS Spring Festival at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground and it is hoped that traffic will flow much easier through peak travel times.

The major festivals bring millions of pounds into the local economy with many of the visitors heading to Malvern from Cheltenham, Gloucester and the South West.

READ MORE: Spring Festival grows for all at Malvern

Mrs Baldwin said she met with the county council’s transport team to press for a four-spur roundabout rather than the traffic light option which was being considered at the time to improve traffic flow and reduce historic delays at the traffic pinch-point.

“Anyone who has driven through this stretch of road will know what an improvement the roundabout has made for those travelling from Upton to Pershore, Worcester or the M5,” she added.

“It forms an important part of a project to improve resilience for the town including the major work to raise the Ryall Road.

“I am pleased the county council opted for the sensible roundabout solution, which I always considered better for drivers and presenting a far better prospect for visitors who come to the area from the M5.

“My focus will now be on looking at ways to improve the resilience of the Hanley Road during times of flooding and I will be working with local councillors to identify and implement a workable solution.”

The Upton Roundabout opened in February, replacing the junction of the A38 and the A4104.

It has since been revealed the roundabout also provides small creature comforts for local wildlife.

Installed within the roundabout are small underground tunnels for newts and bats, three new ponds, and ‘wildlife friendly kerbs’ to help newts, frogs and toads avoid highway gullies.