A SCHEME to raise the main road into Upton came a step nearer this week.

A delegation from town, district and county councils, accompanied by West Worcestershire MP Michael Spicer, visited Transport Minister John Spellar to ask for the work to be carried out.

It was agreed that Worcestershire County Council should consider funding a feasibility study.

The idea is to elevate a section of the A4104, between the river bridge and the marina access junction, which is sometimes submerged when the Severn floods

Town councillor Roger Barker, a former mayor, said: "It's important not only because it's a major road into Upton, but because it's a major route to Malvern and the science park.

"In the last major flood, in 2000, this section of low-lying road was under three or four feet of water and nothing could get through.

"This is a step forward. I hope the feasibility study concludes that the work should be carried out."

Mike Davis, of the County Highways Partnership, said: "It was the minister's advice that the county council should consider funding a feasibility study for the project."

If the feasibility study is positive, the council could apply for government funding for the work.

However, money for a new slip road on to the M50, which would act as an alternative route from Malvern and Ledbury over the River Severn, is already being sought from the government's Local Transport Plan and there are fears this could overshadow any application from Upton.

County councillor Tom Wells said he felt the council had "put the cart before the horse" in pressing ahead without carrying out consultation and analysis which considered the value of both options.

He said: "If the funding bid to raise the road into Upton was prioritised, it would negate the necessity of a new access on to the M50."

MP Sir Michael Spicer, said he supported both projects and felt that they did not work in opposition. He said: "The slip-way would be a good thing in itself but it's not a substitute for keeping bridges open. When the bridge in Upton is shut it seriously affects the east-east-west flow of traffic.

"The timing is important. The application for raising the road is unlikely to be in next year's budget, so the two schemes would not clash."