Saffron Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats

Uttlesford Lib Dems Say Joined-Up Thinking Is Needed To Tackle Flooding Risk

Joined-up thinking is needed to tackle flooding risk

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats have applauded Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg's plan to protect areas like this from the worst effects of flooding, as the Met Office warns that severe flooding is due to worsen in the years ahead.

Commenting, Thaxted Liberal Democrat Councilor Martin Foley who has recently raised concerns about flooding in the area says:

"The Government isn't taking the devastating potential of climate change seriously enough. We need to act now if we're to protect many Uttlesford residents from the flooding that could come in years to come.

"Six months after last year's flooding, the Government has done very little to tackle the problem.

"Many areas are simply left waiting for the next downpour, while ministers sit twiddling their thumbs.

Cllr Peter Wilcock Uttlesford's Liberal Democrat Leader says:

"The Government must invest more in flood risk areas. We must stop building new homes in areas at risk, and help families in high risk homes to get insurance.

"We need a comprehensive approach to flooding, brought together in a Flooding Act in Parliament to ensure changes are made quickly, and to reassure the thousands of families who are at risk of losing everything."

Uttlesford Liberal Democrats back this 10 point plan...

1. Protect - Increase the flood defense budget by £400m over a Parliament to ensure adequate maintenance of existing defenses and construction of new ones, in the immediate future and twenty or thirty years ahead - not just in built-up urban areas but also in rural areas where people's homes flood repeatedly, year after year.

2. Prepare - Make sure that people are aware of flood risk, what to do and how to stay safe in the event of a flood. Take action to improve current flood warning systems, so as many people as possible are warned in advance and can act accordingly. In flood-risk areas, improve public awareness of the importance of buildings and contents insurance, and work with the insurance industry to ensure that people in flood-risk areas are not denied good quality, affordable home insurance.

3. Secure the supply of water and electricity - To avoid people having water and electricity supplies cut off as they were during the summer 2007 floods, we would make sure critical infrastructure providers take action to reduce flood risk. We would also make sure that other critical infrastructure such as hospitals, care homes and schools are 'flood-proofed' to minimise disruption to communities.

4. Look after hard-hit families and small businesses - When flooding does strike, we would provide additional special support for the worst affected areas, so that repairs can be undertaken quickly to key public buildings and social housing, including generous and speedy grants and interest-free loans to allow people in hardship to replace furniture and rebuild their lives in the worst-hit and poorest areas.

5. Promote joined up thinking under one overall body - Allow the Environment Agency to take strategic responsibility for flood defence management and planning. They will work with local authorities and water companies to deliver an accountable strategic, long-term approach to flood defence. This is particularly needed to deal with flood risk from surface water drains and sewers, which were the source of flooding for two-thirds of homes in summer 2007. In addition, they will develop and provide an early warning system for all types of flooding.

6. Tackle building on flood plains - Inappropriate building on flood plains must stop and there needs to be remedial action in areas where we have done this in the past. We would strengthen existing legislation concerning development in flood plains and ensure that residential, retail, commercial or industrial premises are not built on flood plains or areas of high flooding risk, unless substantial flood management schemes are in place.

7. Implement sustainable solutions - Ensure that all new developments incorporate Sustainable Urban Drainage (SUDS) to reduce urban run-off water which leads to flash flooding. We would make sure that local authorities take the lead on providing SUDS and that there is an appropriate legal framework in place to ensure that they are maintained.

8. Bring in a Flooding Act - Flooding legislation should be updated and streamlined under a single unifying Act addressing all sources of flooding, clarifying responsibilities and focusing on a risk-based approach to managing flooding.

9. Support farmers and rural communities - We would look again at the current policy on weed clearance and dredging so that the many farmers who suffered significant losses of livestock and crops during the summer floods do not have to endure this again.

10. Get serious on flooding and commit long term - Establish National Task Forces to create integrated flood management plans, and introduce a rolling 50-year planning horizon for climate change adaptation.