Memorandum submitted by Mr Paul Rouse
(FL 154)
I live in East Yorkshire, near to the River
Derwent, in a village which has more than doubled in size over
the past 10 years. Due to new house building on land which previously
provided run off, our combined rainwater and foul water drainage
system can no longer cope with heavy rainfall. Because a number
of houses now flood in wet weather, Yorkshire Water have installed
an additional pump which should start in an emergency. However,
we now live in dread of it failing to do so, as these things have
failed elsewhere. What we really need is a larger diameter pipe,
but YW are loath to spend the money.
The point is, we told the Planners that the
housing developments must only be carried out in line with improvements
to the infrastructure, but to no avail, as it seems that Government
Inspectors have been directed to pass these developments on appeal.
We keep pointing out that new houses generate
increased revenue for both Utility Companies and Local Authorities,
but none of them seem to consider that this additional income
merits any capital expenditure. I would ask that your Select Committee
recommendations include a requirement for future building projects
to be firmly linked to infrastructure investment, including drainage
and water management.
There are plenty of other things that those
of us who live in the country would ask you to consider, such
as the lack of river dredging and too much hill drainage, but
you will no doubt pick up such suggestions from other people.
Paul Rouse
December 2007
| 
