A storm is brewing up between townspeople over current riverside flood defence proposals.

People packed the memorial hall at Upton-upon-Severn to see the latest draft for a riverside barrier aimed at protecting homes and businesses.

In 2007, severe flooding hit residents and the town’s businesses, including waterfront pubs and shops, many of which depend on tourism. Some people are still having repairs carried out.

But a row broke out during the meeting, arranged by the Environment Agency, between members of the audience.

The robust debate centred on the agency’s decision to put forward its preferred option – a brick wall running from the road bridge and along to the boathouse on the west bank of the Severn.

Audience members saw artists’ impressions of the wall alongside plan drawings. There would be landscaping either side of the wall, a riverside walkway and new trees.

“The aim throughout has been to improve the riverside,” said project manager Brian Smith.

However, a private firm, UK Flood Barriers (UKFB), based in Droitwich, submitted three costings to the agency earlier this year with alternative plans for a self-raising barrier.

Several audience members asked why that system, which sits in the ground until needed, had not been given more consideration.

A resident living in High Street, Upton, said: “We cannot see why you cannot have the UK Flood Barriers which would solve the whole thing. It goes down and up and there’s no wall sticking up.”

In response, Anthony Perry, flood risk manager, said the agency had looked at proposals from the UKFB but “when you look at the self-raising barriers it doesn’t withstand reasonable scrutiny.”

Frank Kelly, UKFB research and development consultant, who was sitting in the audience, said: “It’s never failed once where it’s been installed. There’s initially no maintenance.” But Mr Perry said: “We can look at other systems but if you put costs up it could take five or 10 years.”

Mr Kelly said the cost of the company’s plans were £1.8 million, maximum with 10 years maintenance. The Environment Agency has a £4.5 million budget for the riverside and the New Street flood bund, but needs to submit plans for building permission.

Several business and homeowners living on the riverside were also unhappy about the changes of the road layout and the loss of their river view.

The agency is currently consulting on the riverside defences and displaying plans in the library, memorial hall and town’s pubs.

l Your Worcester News was the only member of the media to attend this meeting.