UPTON HOMES and businesses will get a huge boost after plans were confirmed to raise the major road linking the town to the motorway.

The news has been welcomed by West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin, who pressed for the project following serious flooding in 2014 which saw the army being drafted in to ferry people into Upton-upon-Severn.

A plan for raising the road past Upton Marina has now been approved although the MP is planning to continue to press for the creation of a roundabout at the junction of the A38 and longer-term work to improve flood resilience along the Hanley Road.

She said: “Last year, I asked the county council to look into road improvements along the A4104 after it was closed off by a series of serious floods. "Homes and businesses in Upton are protected by some marvellous flood defences but it defeats the objective if people can't get in and out of the town during times of high water.

“I am delighted that the project will now go ahead and the raising of the road will form part of an important project to ensure that Upton-upon-Severn and surrounding communities stay connected during times of high flood water.

“There is still work to be done to improve traffic flow across the busy A38 and I will keep working with the local authorities to do what we can to improve resilience along the Hanley Road.

“However, this project is a great step forward and I am glad to hear that the local authorities are properly consulting to make sure local people aren’t seriously impacted by the roadworks, but once it is completed, I am sure it will be welcomed by local residents and business owners.“