West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has taken Transport Minister Baroness Kramer on a whistlestop tour of flood-hit county hotspots to see the recovery progress. The Baroness was sent to Worcestershire to report back to the Prime Minister on how the county is coping after extensive flooding hit the area in January and February. David Cameron visited Upton-upon-Severn earlier this year and announced a special £10 million fund to help businesses to recover from the effects of flooding. And Baroness Kramer returned today (Friday April 11) to see how the recovery was progressing and was taken on a tour of flood hot spots including Kempsey, Severn Stoke, Upton-upon-Severn and Powick. Harriett commented: “I took Baroness Kramer to see several communities along the River Severn and the River Teme which often flood to see how they have put in place some steps to make themselves more resilient. “I have opened six new flood defence schemes in my constituency since 2010 and providing permanent defences for thousands of homes and businesses. “But areas including Severn Stoke and Tenbury don’t yet have a permanent scheme and it is important that we learn lessons from each major incident to make sure we are better prepared each time. “I felt it was important that the Baroness visited Severn Stoke which was a badly hit community in the winter that still has to suffer without permanent flood defences. “Local people have been as resilient as ever and the recovery is well underway but I was keen to make the case for further investment to protect our homes and businesses. “We also visited the two main roads that were made impassable during the winter and I hope that in her role as Transport Minister, the Baroness will take back the message that funding is urgently needed to help prevent these sorts of closures happening again.” Photo: (l-r) Baroness Susan Kramer, Severn Stoke pub landlord Peter Fryar, Harriett Baldwin MP, councillor Simon Geraghty