Harriett Baldwin today (Feb 23) helped to cut the first sod on flood defence work underway in Upton-upon-Severn. The MP attended a ceremony on the playing fields to herald the start of important work to construct a bund to give permanent protection from flooding for New Street. Harriett commented: “The people and businesses of Upton have lived with the threat of repeated flooding. The town has flooded 70 times in the last 40 years and has the reputation of being the most flooded town in Britain. “In 2007 I saw at first hand the enormous damage which flooding brings to this area and I have worked since then to help ensure West Worcestershire gets proper flood defences in six locations. “I am pleased that the Environment Agency has started the work on the bund over the playing fields, and I hope they can also make progress on resolving some of the final issues with the waterfront.”