----- Original Message -----
From: PM of Wraysbury
Sent: Sunday, February 15, 2009 5:59 PM
Subject: Environment Agency automated flood warning system
Would you please ensure that this email is directed to the appropriate person in the EA:
Recent experience has shown once again that the EA is not performing in the way that the public might reasonably expect.
I am a riverside dweller living in the Wraysbury area.
During the past three days of very high river levels, I received no information about the area in which I live. Rather, I received messages relating to the River Colne and the flood situation in Fulmer and Iver. I was not the only person in my area to receive this worthless information.
The TV news programmes and local radio constantly urge the public to visit the EA flood information website but in my experience the information displayed is of very limited, if any, value. Over the recent high water event I visited the site regularly and was amazed to see that the information relating to my area had not been updated for days, even though the road outside my house was under over nine inches of water which was still rising.
Even at the time of the last update, the area was only shown to be only on a floodwatch.
Is it surprising that the public have such low confidence in the ability of the EA to inform and advise?
In my experience, the local Flood Wardens have more information and are more sensitive to the need of the public for up to date information.
It is a fact that since the opening of the Jubilee River, the residents of this particular reach of the Thames can no longer sleep soundly in their beds following even modest levels of rainfall.
PM of Wraysbury
