WHITEHALL demands for money left Army trucks standing idle at Upton Bridge while local people were stranded.

During the November floods Territorial Army trucks had provided a shuttle service across the bridge for anyone who wanted it, but this week the Ministry of Defence was demanding £200 a day to provide the service.

After some initial confusion over what was required by the MOD, a full shuttle service was re-instated on Thursday morning, after Malvern Hills District Council agreed to provide the money.

"We have agreed to stump up the money, but we will be making strong representations to get this charge waived," said the Council's chief executive Chris Bocock.

"We are distinctly unhappy about it. You pay your taxes to the government for this sort of thing and local taxpayers are being asked to pay on top of that," he said.

Trucks and personnel from Worcester's Royal Artillery 214 Battery had been stationed at Upton Fire Station from midday on Tuesday with instructions to provide an emergency service only.

Local farmers brought tractors in to help schoolchildren across the river, but people from Ripple and Ryall could not get into town.

Town mayor Ernie Holder said: "The TA can bring Meals on Wheels across the river, but anyone who wants a loaf of bread or bottle of milk, is not a priority.

"I'm staggered at the whole thing, especially as they are already here and someone must be paying them."

District councillor Mary Wilkinson said: "It's a disgrace. Upton is in crisis. Let's do what has to be done and worry about who pays later.

"The life of Upton is threatened if people can't get into town. The shop windows look gorgeous and the town is the prettiest it has been for years, but shops need customers."

Angry parent Roy Storr, from Ryall, watched an Army truck cross the river with one "essential worker" while his children were left stranded.

"We need the shuttle service. It benefits us and everyone else. The only alternative is to go round via the Mythe Bridge and add to the congestion at Tewkesbury," he said.

James Gee, spokesman for the MOD, said the TA was simply doing what the local authority asked it to do.

"It's up to them to decide what they want us to do. Emergency work for life and limb situations is part of the military's job but we're not a taxi service and I know it's difficult and looks mean, but we have to stick to it," he said.

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