PLANS to install new barriers to protect motorists from flooding in Upton have been given the green light.

Upton Town Council agreed on a proposal by district councillor Martin Allen to install new barriers in Hanley Road at times of flooding.

The barriers are aimed at protecting the Severn Cottages group of houses and stopping large vehicles adding to the flooding by creating bow waves through low lying flood water.

It is also helped they will prevent drivers becoming marooned in flood water.

The barriers would be put up on the town side of the Hanley Road Car Park, as well as another point further down the road towards Hanley Castle.

Access to the new Warner's supermarket would be available to pedestrians via a side entrance near to the car park entrance.

Councillors supported the plan at a meeting of the town council last week.

Upton mayor Cllr Shirley Dobbin said: "I welcome this initiative from Worcestershire County Council.

"For too long these cottages have suffered by those drivers who recklessly drive through the flood water.

"Councillors were keen to ensure the town-side barrier was in the best position and the only debate was on the colour of the barriers.

"Councillors voted to have them in white, if allowed as yellow was thought to be not in keeping with this part of our town."

Cllr Allen, who presented Worcestershire County Council's plans at the meeting, said: "When I became Upton’s County Councillor one of the first requests I had from the Town Council was to have two sets of barriers installed on the Hanley Road, which are to be used when the road floods.

"With the 4x4 drivers ignoring the signs and ploughing through the flood water, which results in the increasing risk to Severn Cottages by water ingress, there is also the risk to life with cars repeatedly getting stuck in the flood water, I was happy to assist."