A FLOOD gate which forms part of a multi-million pound scheme to protect homes and businesses in a town from flood water has been officially opened – well, closed.

West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin was asked to close a new flood gate in New Street, Upton, to mark the official completion of the first phase of Environment Agency’s £4 million flood defence scheme.

Together with a new flood bund it is hoped the gate will protect residents and businesses who have had to put up with more than 70 flood events in the last 40 years.

One of the worst – in the summer of 2007 – saw Upton cut off for several days.

But road-raising work carried out by Worcestershire County Council at Tunnel Hill to compliment the flood scheme means that should never happen again.

After unveiling a plaque and closing the gate, Mrs Baldwin was handed a bottle of “genuine river Severn water” which she sprinkled on the ground to symbolise it running down the street for what is hoped will be the last time.

She called the new defences “fantastic” and said: “This is something that we have done together over the years and it is now a community-owned asset.”

The Enivornment Agency’s flood risk manager Anthony Perry said he hoped the “tears and misery” that flooding has caused for people in Upton would soon be a thing of the past.

“I hope this can be used as a catalyst and something to generate prosperity and happiness for the people who live here,” he said.

Malvern Hills district councillor Mike Morgan said: “We hope not to have to see this used in anger but at least we have the confidence now of knowing it is there.

“We look forward to having the Waterside defences finished and then we can all really sleep sound in our beds at night.”

The Waterside defences are currently being constructed and are scheduled for completion in the spring.