The Environment Agency, at the request of the Government, has now published their River Trent Flood Catchment Plan. This proposes to reduce flood risk management in the Isle of Axholme area in the coming years. Under these proposals the Isle could lose its pumping capacity and we would see no additional works undertaken on the Trent bank to improve protection. The EA accept that this will lead to an increased risk of flooding in the Isle.

Hundreds of local people have now signed our petition objecting to these proposals, which sacrifice rural areas such as the Isle and Burringham and Gunness in favour of urban towns further upriver.

The Labour Government's rules mean that they are intending to reduce the amount of money spent in our area on preventing or reducing flooding. However, the plan was only published last November, giving little time for consultation with local people before it is adopted in April. The details have yet to be decided by the Environment Agency, who will now spend the next 18 months producing a detailed strategy, which may in fact change the outcome completely! There is a long fight ahead to change their minds and protect our constituency from the increasing risk of floods.

Andrew is leading the battle along with members of the Axholme Internal Drainage Board. Get in contact with him if you have any news or wish to add your voice to those already opposing these proposals.