The Government has not committed itself to all of the points in the Flood Action Plan. As the plan would cost an estimated £100m, instead the Government has committed to at least £20.5m of the Flood Action Plan. At the same time the Government is not requesting funding from the EU, which it should have done to aid the recovery.
The Government has committed to:
1 Immediate plans to dredge 8km of the Rivers Parrett and Tone.
2 Making some temporary flood defences and pumping sites permanent;
3 Helping local partners take more responsibility for water management on the Levels through a new Somerset rivers board;
4 Supporting farmers to manage flood risk better; and
5 Ensuring new developments meet the highest standards for water and drainage.
Cllr Mick Lerry said: ”Many flood victims still feel uncertain about flooding in the future, as they go through the strenuous process of rebuilding their homes and businesses”.
‘Lack of co-ordination’ & no clear ‘trigger points’
Flood victims and emergency services have raised concerns that there was a lack of co-ordination in the response to flooding and there were no clear “trigger points” to worn the public of imminent flooding.
Cllr Mick Lerry said: “ there should be a Public Enquiry to understand what went wrong, in order to avoid the flooding of homes and businesses on the levels and I urge Ian Liddell-Grainger MP to ask the Government to implement a Public Enquiry now, into the flooding in Somerset”.
The Government is keen to blame the agencies, but refuses to accept responsibility for the reduction in flood protection work.
Cllr Mick Lerry – Leader of the Labour Group on Sedgemoor District Council
Labour Parliamentary Candidate for Bridgwater and West Somerset Constituency
Mobile: 07775 905080
Email: michael.lerry@btinternet.com