Written Ministerial Statement by Hilary Benn on the winter flood risk - 17 January 2008
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Hilary Benn)
Members will be aware of the significant rainfall in recent days and that as a result there has been some flooding and others areas are at potential flood risk. In the light of this, and of the events of last Summer, I wanted to take the opportunity to report on the position to the House.
Heavy rain is not unusual at this time of year and the quantity we have seen in recent days has not been exceptional. However, we have experienced several bands of often intense rain falling on catchments that are now saturated. This has caused the rainfall to reach rivers more quickly than normal and those rivers have tended to rise rapidly in response.
As at 10:45 this morning, the Environment Agency had 58 flood warnings and 114 flood watches in place in England and Wales. While significant numbers of flood warnings and watches have been in place for several days, and recognising how disruptive and distressing flooding is to those affected and especially for people who were flooded last summer, the impact has been relatively limited. Government Offices for the Regions have had reports that around 100 properties have flooded in the past week across England, including in Gloucestershire, several locations across southern England and the Midlands and in the North West.
There may well be further flooding given that more rain is forecast over the coming days and as rivers continue to rise. However, the flooding to date is on a much smaller scale than that experienced last summer.
The Environment Agency and local organisations are doing all they can to minimise the impact of flooding in areas at currently at risk. This includes using temporary and demountable defences, and sandbags to increase protection where necessary. High volume pumps are in place to reduce water levels, where this is feasible.
Winter rainfall is not, of course, exceptional, and we would expect natural river flood plains to be inundated at this time of year. There are limits to what can be done to keep water out of these areas without making the situation worse elsewhere. River levels remain high and we should remain vigilant.
People have been taking action to protect themselves and to otherwise reduce the losses they might suffer from flooding. They have been putting their own defences in place and moving belongings out of harm’s way. I would also like to highlight the importance of people being good neighbours when flooding threatens or occurs. This is something that Sir Michael Pitt emphasised in his interim report on last Summer’s floods. In my written statement of 17 December 2007, I said that the Government agreed with all of his urgent recommendations; action to implement them is now proceeding. I also set out in that statement the measures that we have already put in place since last Summer.
If people are concerned about flooding they should visit the Environment Agency’s website or telephone their Floodline on 0845 988 1188.
I shall of course keep the House informed of any significant developments.
Page published: 17 January 2008