West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin will this week open the £1.5 million flood defence scheme built to protect Kempsey. As well as protecting 150 homes and businesses, the scheme will ensure the vital A38 link road stays clear during periods of heavy rain. Kempsey has flooded 23 times in the last 30 years with the River Severn and Hatfield Brook causing major flood threats to the village and surrounding areas. Harriett Baldwin commented: “The Kempsey flood alleviation scheme is important not only for the villagers but also to ensure the main road stays open. “I would like to pay tribute to the local people who campaigned for flood defences and raised money to help with this scheme. “I am pleased that another village now has a scheme that will protect them during difficult weather conditions. “There is still much work to do but every scheme completed is another step towards ending the devastation caused by flooding. “This is a complex scheme and I would pay tribute to the Environment Agency working with local people to find the best possible solution which offers protection whilst being sympathetic to the local environment. “This is the sixth scheme that the Environment Agency has delivered in my constituency and I have been very impressed with their achievements. They know that I will keep campaigning for flood defences for Tenbury Wells.”