UPTON is to get its £4 million flood defence scheme after the Environment Agency was granted permission to build a controversial flood wall along the waterfront.

As pictures from Cornwall issued a stark reminder of the devastation flooding can cause, residents turned out in force on Wednesday evening (November 17) to hear the decision.

Among the 150 people who squeezed into Memorial Hall was Simon Speers, chairman of the Upton Flood Forum, which has campaigned in support of the defences.

He said: “I think it is a real result for the town and we should all now get behind it and make it work as best as we possibly can.”

The EA’s proposals for a glass-topped wall and landscaping scheme twice failed to win the support of Upton Town Council.

However members of Malvern Hills District Council’s southern area development control committee voted unanimously in favour.

Coun Mike Morgan, who represents Upton, acknowledged the split of opinion in the town. He said: “Part of me feels as though I should be wearing two black armbands, as it seems we are either facing death by wall or death by flooding.”

He added: “I don’t think that this is the 100 per cent ideal solution for Upton, but I cannot believe that in our current financial climate we have the time to put other schemes in place or secure funding.”

Fellow ward member Syd Harrison said: “No-one will ever forget the floods of 2007 and that sort of situation can be prevented from happening again by positive action now. The EA has worked extremely hard and if this is not approved it will leave Upton totally unprotected.”

The EA will now go ahead with its two part scheme, which also includes a flood bund to protect New Street.

Spokesman Anthony Perry said: “We’ve worked with a number of people locally to provide something that will not only protect the community from flooding, but enhance the waterside.”

He said work would start on the New Street section early in the new year.

Town councillor and chairman of Upton’s tourism and trade association Peter Webb said: “I am sure in the end everyone in Upton will realise how devastating another flood could have been. I honestly don’t think that this town could have survived.”

Local MP Harriett Baldwin said: “I would like to pay tribute to the Environment Agency, which has gone to great lengths to consult with local people and try to find the best possible solution.”