Rivermeet
23 Ham
Old
SL4 2JY
01753 866838
Dear Sirs
I have read with interest the interim Pitt Review and would like to add my comments:
There is no point in “Learning Lessons” if new procedures are not implemented from the lessons which have been learnt.
I appreciate that it is necessary to go into the background of the devastating floods that hit the country in the summer of 2007 but unless solutions and resolutions are found then the whole process is pointless.
I was badly flooded in 2003 so I speak from experience. As a result my life changed forever in 2003.
There is a major problem that exists in this country today and that is that money is being wasted on aspects which are not important and which are not solving problems.
The whole process needs to be re-examined with the emphasis on finding solutions to the flooding that is sweeping the country on a regular basis at the moment.
Currently, in my opinion the Environment Agency is only interested in flood risk management and not flood defence. What is the point of wasting millions and not solving problems?
The Government has got to approach the problems that exist from a long term viewpoint. Not just look around the corner because in 2 years time a different Government may be in power. That is NOT going to solve the problems that exist today.
Therefore if the Government looks long term it must look at the whole infrastructure of this country right from our antiquated drainage systems to our near non existent and poorly built flood defences.
The Government keeps talking about the increase in global warming and yet when it comes to the most simple solutions they are not implemented.
The Government is accountable to the public and the Environment Agency is accountable to the public. It is public money and therefore the public must have a say in how the money should be spent.
The Pitt Report does not go far enough into finding solutions for the catastrophic flooding that occurred.
The Pitt Report states:
“One of the most consistent messages has been a desire to learn from the events and prevent or mitigate future flooding. We have been struck by people’s determination on this point.”
The scope of the Pitt Report does not bring about constructive solutions in order to “prevent or mitigate future flooding.” This must happen for the report to be effective. That is what the people of this country want.
In my opinion there are two solutions that can be instigated immediately to alleviate flooding:
1. Better and continuous river maintenance.
2. An ongoing programme of dredging for flood defence purposes throughout the country. In particular, on rivers where there is a proven benefit – such as the River Thames.
If this is not carried out then the scale of flooding that was experienced last year will happen time and time again.
Huge office blocks, feasibility studies, surveys and computer models do not stop or alleviate flooding – action like maintenance, dredging and physical improvements do!
If these measures are taken then there will be many people who do not go through the heartache, upheaval, expense and dread of being flooded time and time again. Many now live in fear of what will happen next time because they can see that the Environment Agency has done NOTHING to alleviate the problem.
The Environment Agency’s future
plans for flood alleviation for the
Do not keep talking about “what happened” or “why it happened”. Concentrate now on “What can be done to stop it happening again.” Improve river maintenance and start dredging seriously again NOW.
Yours sincerely
Gillie