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The Jubilee River story - RBWM calls for independent investigation

Letter to Sir John Harman

Cabinet Calls For Independent Investigation Into Flooding

This letter was sent to the Environment agency from Cllr Laurence
 

9 January 2003

Sir John Harman  Chairman Environment Agency, Millbank Tower 25th Floor, 21-24 Millbank
London SW1P 4XL

Flooding in the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

We are now in the process of dealing with the aftermath of recent flooding. As you are aware, various areas within the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead were adversely affected by the flooding, and the area of Wraysbury was the eventual subject of a severe warning. Our initial analysis suggests that areas that have been the subject of flooding were not in your 1:100 year Post Scheme floodplain.

A large number of the residents within the Wraysbury area are now seeking the assistance of the Council in helping them return their homes and the local area back to normal.

Viscount Mills, South East Regional Chairman, has advised Cookham residents today that an investigation will now take place within the Environment Agency. We would like the investigation to cover our whole area and include:

i) why properties either previously not affected by flooding, or not previously affected to this extent, suffered in the way that they did;
ii) how much the flood alleviation works completed in 2002 have contributed to the severe flooding experienced, and
iii) why there was a significant delay in issuing a severe warning in respect of the Wraysbury area when the situation was quickly becoming more serious than suggested by the flood watch warning and when the more timely issue of a severe warning would have permitted better preventative measures to be taken.
Such an investigation is clearly needed but we would advocate that this should be carried out by an expert independent of the Environment Agency. We would expect to be consulted over the terms of reference and who will conduct the review.
We would also expect such an investigation to address other important issues such as those set out below, although an initial response to these issues is requested:
a) What assistance is the Environment Agency willing and able to offer to homeowners whose properties were affected by the flooding both in terms of immediate relief, and to address the possible difficulties such owners will now face when attempting to sell or insure their properties in the future?
b) Does the Environment Agency accept that it has inadequately modelled the affect of the flood alleviation works to areas downstream of Windsor to such an extent that no adequate steps were taken to protect those properties affected from flooding, and that therefore the Environment Agency is liable for the extent of the flooding that has occurred?
c) What action is the Environment Agency proposing to take in respect of potential future flooding in the area?
Given the urgency of this matter and the degree of public concern it would be very helpful to have a response to the issues raised within the next 7 days.
It is intended that this letter will me made publicly available, including circulation to those residents affected by the flooding.

 

cc Mrs T May MP               Mr M Trend MP                 Viscount Mills
 

Cabinet Calls For Independent Investigation Into Flooding

Thursday, 09 January 2003

The Royal Borough is taking up the cudgels on behalf of beleaguered residents by calling for an independent investigation into the cause of this week's flooding in areas like Cookham and Wraysbury.

As hundreds of local people struggle to recover from severe water damage to their homes and businesses, council leader Cllr Michael Lawrence has written to Sir John Harman, chairman of the Environment Agency, making it clear that any investigation must cover the questions currently being asked by despairing flood victims:

·        Why have properties never before affected by flooding – or not to such a great degree –suffered this time?

·       
To what extent has the Jubilee River contributed to the situation?

·       
Why was there a significant delay in issuing a severe flood warning for Wraysbury – an earlier alert would have given residents more time to take preventative action.

Cllr Lawrence said it was time for the council to champion the cause of local people who were coming to terms with the damage and the financial implications for them and their families. 

He said:  “We cannot speculate at this stage about why these floods were so severe but questions need to be answered.  Many people are left wondering if the Environment Agency got its calculations wrong about the effects of the flood alleviation scheme, leaving Wraysbury and other areas downstream of Windsor completely unprotected and vulnerable as never before.

“Not only must there be a high level investigation but it should be completely independent of the Environment Agency so that Royal Borough residents can feel confident of an objective review and outcome.”

Cllr Lawrence has also asked the chairman what assistance the Environment Agency will be offering to people whose homes were hit by the floods, not only to help them with the immediate clear-up but also with potential problems ahead when they try to insure or sell their homes. 

He said:  “These are very real concerns and I share the view that the Environment Agency must be asked to come forward with much-needed support and, indeed, what action they propose to take to make sure this week’s fiasco doesn’t happen again.”

Flooding was discussed as an urgency item this evening’s cabinet when members were given a review of the council’s 24-hour-a-day response to residents’ calls for help and advice throughout the emergency.

Source document below:

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//   The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead

//   The Townhall, St Ives Road, Maidenhead, SL6 1RF United Kingdom

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//   Tel: +44 (0)1628 79 8888  

//   Fax: +44 (0)1628 79 6408

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//   DX 6422 Maidenhead 1

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//    author: Anne Dackombe

// published: '2003-01-10'

//   updated: '2003-01-10'

//  location: http://www.rbwm.gov.uk/press/30002_flooding_aftermath.htm

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