MEMORANDUM

To:              Chris Smith   

cc:               Sir John Harman, Barbara Young, Hilary Benn, media

From:         Ewan Larcombe

Date:           31st May 2007

Subject:      National Infrastructure

Chris

Knowing that you are about to replace Sir John as Chairman of the Environment Agency Board of Directors, I would like to bring the subject of national infrastructure to your attention at this early stage.

Over the last ten years there has been a failure to maintain national infrastructure, indeed even to recognise that watercourses and rivers are key to components of the national drainage system.  This failure results in an ever increasing probability of flooding.

I look forward to you not only taking prompt action to rectify the above shortcomings, but also to implementing the recommendations of the recent House of Commons EFRA Select Committee Report on flooding.

I wish you every success in your new challenge.