Memorandum submitted by David Kidney MP
(FL MP 19)
You wrote to Members in the summer to ask us
for our experiences of the flooding that affected many parts of
the country this summer.
In Stafford constituency, I conducted a survey
of residents in areas that had last been badly affected by flooding
in the year 2000.
I enclose a copy of the report that I have produced
as a result of that survey (Annex A).
My reading of the responses suggests that, second
time around, people are more aware of the causes and effects of
flooding and they expect a more comprehensive, proactive and mature
approach to coping with the danger of flooding from the relevant
agencies, including local authorities.
After the 2000 floods, I secured a number of
significant investments in improved drains and flood prevention
measures. In areas where there were new protections in place this
summer, there were fewer incidents of water entering people's
homes.
What this tells me is that there is a need for
(a) a much more focused approach to works of adaptation; (b) a
precautionary approach to any proposed flood plain development,
with the onus on the developer to show a positive flood prevention
outcome otherwise the development should not be permitted; and
(c) better co-ordination of the services that residents need in
respect of advice on measures to protect their individual properties,
flood alerts and who to call for emergency help (and the response
to such calls, such as providing sandbags, closing roads and pumping
out water).
I hope this is helpful.
David Kidney MP
Stafford
October 2007
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