Harriett Baldwin has welcomed the successful operation of county flood defences which kept communities protected during heavy rain over the last fortnight. And the MP has written to the Department for the Environment supporting the plans for a permanent flood defence in Severn Stoke, which is due to apply for outline planning permission before the end of the year. Harriett has been an active supporter of the community-led scheme which will use private land to build a protective bund and flood gates to protect the community and the vital A38 road. Harriett commented: “Over the last decade we have seen six major flood schemes built in West Worcestershire protecting Upton-upon-Severn, Kempsey, Powick and Uckinghall, but the job continues, and I keep pressing both the Government and the Environment Agency to do all it can to support the on-going Severn Stoke scheme. “The agency did a great job dealing with major flooding in all three rivers in my patch – the Teme, Avon and Severn – but every time we see flooding I worry about the communities that haven’t yet been able to deliver schemes, like Severn Stoke and Tenbury. “I am glad that Severn Stoke’s plan is progressing and I will renew my efforts in Tenbury to identify what defences the townspeople want over and above their individual property protection. “If I am re-elected on December 12, I plan to meet again with the town councillors to get their local views on this challenge.”