Andrew spoke in the House of Commons last week and called for investment in local flood defences to be brought forward. Andrew was speaking in a debate on Flooding in northern Lincolnshire, secured by MP for Cleethorpes, Martin Vickers.
Andrew raised issues of overtopping of the river Ouse at Reedness; of the Dutch at Old Goole; of the Trent, causing flooding in Burringham, Gunness, Amcotts, Burton upon Stather and Keadby; and of the tidal Humber estuary which caused flooding in Winteringham and to about a third of South Ferriby.
Andrew and Martin made reference to the feelings by many residents that the warnings received ahead of the flooding were not sufficient. This is something Andrew has raised before and he is asking the Environment Agency (EA) to look at flood sirens. The EA are already investigating the adequacy of the warnings given.
The final point Andrew made was to seek clarity on how internal drainage boards will be compensated for damage to assets. He is following this up with a letter to the Minister.
Andrew says, “I felt it was important that we got the local flooding issues debated on the floor of the House of Commons and I am pleased that my fellow Humber MP, Martin Vickers, secured this debate and also allowed me some speaking time.
“The Government has made significant sums of money available to local Councils and the Environment Agency to enable them to recover from these floods. However, residents are rightly asking what the longer term plans are for the flood defences.
“The Humber Strategy clearly sets out a desire to maintain and improve most of the defences along the Humber, Trent and Ouse but it is a very long-term plan covering the next 25 years or so. I highlighted to the Minister that residents now want to know what is going to happen in the short to medium term. This is something I am determined to secure action on.
“I was also able to specifically highlight the situation at Reedness were, for historical reasons, the bank is a number of inches lower for a stretch, than elsewhere. This bank still offers a good level of protection but, like many residents, I am keen to see it raised to the level of the rest of the banks so that all of that area is equally protected."
