Public opposition is likely to scupper plans for a new M50 slip road at Sledge Green.

Worcestershire county councillor Bob Bullock told a public meeting that the cabinet committee would probably hesitate to approve the scheme.

"No politician in his right mind is going to support something that most people are against," he said.

Opposition to the proposed slip road has been almost universal since the county council applied last year for a grant to build it.

However, only about 30 people gathered at Upton Memorial Hall last Thursday (May 22) to discuss the plan, together with proposals to raise the A4104 at Upton and improve the Worcester Southern M5 Link between Powick and Whittington. Previous meetings attracted close to 150 people.

The various road schemes are in response to the floods of November 2000, which prevented traffic crossing the River Severn at Upton.

There was general support for the raising of the A4104 near Upton Bridge, which county council highway engineer Paul Jameson said would be at least three years away if it were approved.

However, questions were raised about the cost of the work and the disruption it would cause, given that the road has only been closed twice by flooding since 1945.

Chris Mair, from Upton, said a more comprehensive review of the roads around Upton was needed as well as co-operation between the various local authorities and agencies. However, he accepted that financial restraints would restrict major works being carried out.

The lack of attendance at the meeting was hailed as a sign of apathy by Adrian Taylor, a member of the public.

However, one man said he had driven from Livingston, Scotland, just to attend. Others felt the meeting had been badly advertised and not enough people knew about it.

A decision on the whether to proceed with the various schemes will be made by the county council in July.