West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin has met with the new Environment Agency chief executive to press for more flood defence investment in the county. Harriett joined Sir James Bevan on a tour of the flood defence scheme in Upton-upon-Severn, which has been in operation more than a dozen times since its completion in 2012. She also handed over a letter to the Environment Agency chief executive setting out the importance of securing permanent flood defences in Severn Stoke and Tenbury Wells. Over recent years six new flood defence schemes have built in West Worcestershire costing £9 million securing many homes and businesses from floods. The MP paid tribute to the local Environment Agency staff who have been working up to and during the Christmas period helping to protect local homes and businesses. Harriett said: "The local Environment Agency team do an amazing job and I was keen to tell Sir James how much we appreciate their efforts. "The proof of the Agency's success can be seen in schemes like Upton's which have paid for themselves many times over in times of bad weather. Upton used to be a focal point of the world's media when floods hit the county but now the town is able to stay open for business throughout the year. "There is still much work to do and I was able to discuss the need to keep our major roads open in times of flood including the A38 through Severn Stoke and the continuing challenges developing a full-scale plan for Tenbury. "I look forward to working with Sir James to continue the great work carried out by the Agency in Worcestershire."