A REVISED assessment of Upton-upon-Severn's case for flood defences could take place if new methods of calculating the cost of flooding are accepted.

Jim Haywood, who became area manager for the Environment Agency's Lower Severn patch last week, pledged the agency would push for "social" costs to be taken into account when assessments are made of whether Government grants for defences are given.

At the moment, costs of flooding are assessed in terms of frequency, severity and material impact on housing and businesses, but the Environment Agency would like to see factors like temporary accommodation fees, loss of work hours and cost to the NHS from stress-related illnesses included.

Any such additions to the "costs" side of the quotation could trigger another assessment of whether it would be considered worthwhile installing defences in Upton-upon-Severn.

However, Mr Haywood warned that an Environment Agency study in 1995 had shown "adequate" defences in Upton-upon-Severn would have to be 15 metres down, which could have considerable environmental as well as financial implications.

He gave assurances that defences such as those installed in Bewdley would not worsen the flooding situation in Upton by hastening the Severn's flow during times of flood.

The nature of the defences ensured any knock-on effects were "very locally dispersed", he said.

He also said he would like to see all 320 homes identified as "at risk" in Upton-upon-Severn signed up to the agency's free automated warning line, which contacts users with details of flooding.

At the moment, around 220 of them are members of the scheme, which provides information on floods 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is provided completely free.

Mr Haywood said the information was useful for, and available to, everyone who was in close proximity to flood water, even if it did not come into homes.

More information on the advice is available on 01684 850951.