A CAMPAIGNER for flood defences in Worcester has hit out at the city council for not yet accepting an offer for temporary defences.

Mary Dhonau, chairman of Worcester Action Against Flooding, presented a passionate argument at a meeting of the Development Services and Review Committee last night to accept a government offer of £100,000 for pallet barriers along Hylton Road.

"They would only be up for the duration of the floods and taken down as soon as the water had gone away," she argued, while scoffing at comments in a report by the council that said the pallet defences were inappropriate because they were ugly.

"Who cares a flying sausage what it looks like?

"Try telling the people in Hylton Road that it is not an attractive feature so the city council are not going to entertain the idea."

She also rejected any argument that there would be severe road disruptions when the barriers were being erected.

"What happens when the road floods?" asked Mrs Dhonau. "It's closed and it causes severe disruption.

"When the pallet barriers are put up it will only disrupt the road for a short period."

The committee chairman, Councillor Mike Layland, said even though they did not rule out the possibility of temporary flood defences, a special meeting with representatives of all the agencies involved needed to be arranged to answer questions about issues like costs and maintenance.

"We are still in the assessment of information stage and more discussion is needed," said Coun Layland.

"We have to do what is best for the people who are suffering.

"We will have a special meeting, with a date to be arranged, where these questions can be answered."

After the meeting Mrs Dhonau said the decision was a step in the right direction but expressed concern at how long the council is taking, especially as other authorities with towns along the River Severn had already agreed to the offer.

"If every other authority can accept it, why can't Worcester?"