Harriett Baldwin today welcomed news that ongoing capital spending on flood defences has been preserved in the Comprehensive Spending Review. She also met with Environment Agency Regional Manager Dafydd Evans for an update on constituency projects. With the Pershore scheme complete, the Environment Agency has started the Uckinghall Project. This is due to be completed in February 2011. Planning permission for Kempsey’s scheme will be submitted before Christmas and should start in the middle of 2011. The Powick scheme is also on track. The controversial scheme for a wall at Upton-upon-Severn has been amended to include a glass top section throughout the whole length. The scheme will be decided by a special planning meeting of Malvern Hills District Council on November 8th. The Environment Agency confirmed that should the scheme be rejected, neither this section nor the bund section that has already been approved will go ahead. Funding for the temporary flood defences cannot be confirmed beyond the next 12 – 18 months as this is funded from ongoing expenditure, rather than capital spending. Harriett commented: “I am pleased that despite a tight spending profile, the government has maintained capital spending on flood defences for the next four years. “I have been an active campaigner for flood defences across West Worcestershire and I am pleased that five out of the six main schemes are making progress. “Tenbury Wells remains a long term goal, but I will not rest until the town is better protected from flooding. “I am also trying to resolve the problems on the A46 in Little Beckford and am writing again to the Highways Agency now that the spending review is over.”