Environment Secretary Owen Paterson has today celebrated the successful flood scheme recently opened in Upton-upon-Severn during a tour of the town with MP Harriett Baldwin. The pair viewed two flood defence schemes which have protected houses and businesses for the first time this winter. And they also toured the area looking at the impact of heavy rain on the county’s waterlogged countryside. Both MPs paid tribute to the work of the Environment Agency which has been working round-the-clock to help people threatened by terrible weather conditions. Harriett commented: “Since I was elected, six different flood defence schemes costing almost £9 million have been built in West Worcestershire, protecting hundreds of homes. “Upton’s schemes have passed some rigorous testing over the last few weeks and I am told that savings delivered for insurers means that the investment has paid for itself twice over already. "Kempsey has also been protected with Environment Agency staff working round the clock to make sure the pumps removed water from threatened houses. “I have urged the Secretary of State to seek a deal between the Government and the insurance industry to guarantee continued cover for flood-affected homes and businesses. “All eyes now turn to Tenbury where we need to find a permanent solution and I have asked the Department to look at ways we can find funding for this scheme in 2013 ahead of my flood summit at the end of this month.” Photo: Harriett tours Upton-upon-Severn’s new flood defences with Environment Secretary Owen Paterson