West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin hopes a new roundabout at the edge of Upton-upon-Severn will open up clear routes to economic growth.

Harriett has campaigned for road improvements at the A38 junction on the edge of the town since she was first elected and pressed Worcestershire County Council in 2019 to build a new roundabout as part of a programme of road improvements across the county,

The new roundabout will face its first major test with the opening of the RHS Spring Festival at Malvern’s Three Counties Showground and it is hoped that traffic will flow much easier through peak travel times.

The major festivals bring millions of pounds into the local economy with many of the visitors heading to Malvern from Cheltenham, Gloucester and the South West.

The MP met with the county council transport team to press for a four spur roundabout rather than the traffic light option which was being considered at the time to improve traffic flow and reduce historic delays at the traffic pinch-point.

Harriett said:

“Anyone who has driven through this stretch of road will know what an improvement the roundabout has made for those travelling from Upton to Pershore, Worcester or the M5.

“It forms an important part of a project to improve resilience for the town including the major work to raise the Ryall Road.

“I am pleased the county council opted for the sensible roundabout solution, which I always considered better for drivers and presenting a far better prospect for visitors who come to the area from the M5.

“My focus will now be on looking at ways to improve the resilience of the Hanley Road during times of flooding and I will be working with local councillors to identify and implement a workable solution.”

Photo:Celebrating the brand new Upton roundabout (l-r) Jeremy Owenson, Paul Middlebrough, Harriett Baldwin MP, Andrea Morgan and Andrew Waddell