Devon MP presses Government over flood defences
The MP for Honiton & Sidmouth has urged the Deputy Prime Minister to invest in improved flood defences for local communities, following Storm Chandra, which wreaked havoc across East and Mid Devon yesterday.
Speaking at Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Richard Foord MP told the Deputy PM David Lammy on Wednesday that “Devon is submerged, and needs better flood defences.”
Homes and businesses have been flooded and dozens of roads were closed, with cars stranded across Mr Foord’s Honiton & Sidmouth constituency.
Storm Chandra triggered a red “risk to life” warning on the River Otter, which reached its highest ever recorded level. Three flood alerts for rivers remained in place on Wednesday for the Otter, the Sid and the Axe.
Speaking after PMQs, Mr Foord said: “The storm has hit our part of Devon particularly hard, and most of the communities I represent have been affected. Residents across the area have suffered flooded homes.”
He continued: “I was particularly dismayed to see that Tipton St John Primary School was flooded yet again. I will work with local councillors to help secure the building of a new school on higher ground in the village.”
Richard Foord informed MPs this morning that on the same day as Storm Chandra caused chaos, the US pulled out of the Paris Climate Agreement – a treaty which is aimed at slowing the rise in temperatures and reducing extreme weather events.
Speaking after PMQs, Mr Foord pointed to how “successive Conservative governments damaged seriously the Environment Agency’s ability to respond to flood risk.”
“It is essential that this plan is regularly reviewed and updated - and more funding allocated. There are few things more distressing than having your home or business flooded. Flooding in the south west needs to be a priority for ministers, given how prone the Westcountry is to the onslaught of storms like Chandra.”
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy replied that the Government is investing £10.5bn into flood defences.
There is a yellow weather warning for rain on Thursday, which will fall on ground already saturated by weeks of heavy rain. Residents can help stay safe by tuning into local radio and keeping an eye on Environment Agency flood alerts.
