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Response to Defra reservoir consultation
From Ewan Larcombe, 67 Lawn Close, Datchet, Berks SL3 9LA. Tel 01753 544302
To: Matthew Hampshire, Area 2D, Ergon House, Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AL
Ref: Consultation on a Ministerial Direction for reservoir flood plans:
Conclusion:-
a) This consultation has not been properly advertised
b) This consultation fails comply with the requirements of the Flood Risk Regulations 2009 No 3042
c) This document fails to consult Parish Councils in whose area the reservoir is situated and in particular the people at risk.
d) Furthermore the restrictions on publication of reservoir flood plans are punitive and offer no review or appeal procedure.
e) In my opinion the reservoir flood plan and inundation maps should be formally incorporated within the lead local flood authorities flood risk management plan.
Background information:
April 2006 – Horton Road, Datchet, Berkshire – an 8 foot (2,400 mm) diameter water pipe 30m below ground level burst at the foot of the 30m high reservoir embankment. Homes were flooded and the road collapsed, but luckily the reservoir embankment was not breached. (Please see photographs and map below)
A request for information from the EA resulted produced a redacted report (please see scanned page below)
Page 3 of 5 App 1 – two photographs of burst pipe damage
Page 4 of 5 App 2 - Burst pipe location map
Page 5 of 5 App 3 - Scanned copy of one page of redacted report
Supporting evidence from the Defra consultation on a Ministerial Direction for reservoir flood plans:
8. Making reservoir plans available
The reservoir flood plan should not be made available to the public
as it is the role of the local Resilience Forum to warn and inform those at risk from a reservoir flood.9. National Security
Given that some reservoirs pose a potential risk to many lives, there is a threat that individuals might target a reservoir with malicious intent. The Secretary of State/Welsh Ministers may therefore, by written notice, require that an undertaker must not publish a reservoir flood plan or any corresponding plan which has been prepared, or may restrict the aspects of a plan that may be published. Access to the plan by specified persons may also be controlled by written notice.
App 1 – two photographs of burst pipe damage
App 2 - Burst pipe location map – Horton Road, Datchet.
(Reservoir embankment height – about 30m above ground level)
App 3 - Scanned copy of one page of redacted report from Environment Agency
