Submission to Pitt Review

Submission to Pitt Review 30/3/2008

Dear Sirs

Please find below my further comments on the interim findings of The Pitt Review.

Recommendation 11 states:

REC 11 - The Review recommends that the Environment Agency should work urgently with telecommunications companies, consulting the Information Commissioner as necessary to facilitate the roll-out of 'opt-out' telephone flood warning schemes to all homes and businesses liable to flooding, including homes with ex-directory numbers.

The EA flood warning system needs reviewing immediately. The warning system is appallingly inaccurate. In our area the public who are registered for flood warnings are not receiving the same messages every time. We have been told when we question the EA that the public have to ask for flood watch warnings. Where does it state this in their literature? In our area some people receive flood watch warnings and some people do not. Nobody that I know requested to receive the flood watch warnings - they just received them. Some people receive it on one occasion and then on the next do not. Many people receive just part of a message. There is no consistency or accuracy at all. Unless the flood warning system is accurate it is pointless and will help no-one. To meet with the EA and discuss this issue is impossible. As I recall the Review states that there should be better communication between the EA and the people who have been flooded or at risk of flooding. Our experience is that despite requesting a meeting on several occasions to clarify and sort out the problems with the flood warning service the EA refuses to meet to discuss this. I am appalled that public servants who are paid for by the taxpayer and who should be accountable to the public are able to act in this manner.

Recommendation 15 states:

o Make a list of other useful numbers you may need - your local council, the emergency services and your Floodline quick-dial number.

Our Floodline quick-dial number consists of 18 digits. How can elderly and infirm people be expected to cope with this? How can an 18 digit number be classed as a quick-dial number? This also needs reviewing immediately.

My confidence with the EA is now at an all time low and I have no faith whatsoever that we will be helped by them during flood situations.