Government Must Revise Flood Defence Spending

Councils have urged the government to bring forward its timetable for investment in flood defences or risk a repeat of the devastation caused by floods during the summer.

In an official submission to the Pitt Review into the summer floods, the Local Government Association (LGA) has called for the implementation of an action, backed by investment to reduce the flood risk across the country.

The government has pledged to increase funding for flood prevention from £600 million to £800 million in an announcement in July, but the money will not be available until 2010/11, The LGA said that a three-year delay in this investment could lead to a repeat of this summer's floods and, consequently, higher costs for the taxpayer.

In its submission to the Pitt Review, the LGA called for a systematic review of the flood risk we are facing in the UK, our preparedness and the steps needed to both mitigate and adapt to it.

Aside from investment in better flood defences, the LGA called for: clearer roles and responsibilities for drainage and additional investment in the drainage system; encouragement and incentives for householders to take flood precautions; stronger requirements for utilities to safeguard essential infrastructure; tighter planning controls for construction on flood plains or near watercourses; and buildings that are better adapted to resist extreme weather.

Paul Bettison, Chairman of the LGA Environment Board, said: "Nobody wants to see a repeat of the carnage caused by last summer's floods, which ruined the lives of thousands of people and cost the economy billions of pounds. There is no guarantee we will not see a repeat of the heavy rainfall, which led to that flooding, and so it is vital we start improving our systems and defences as soon as possible.

"The government provided additional funding to deal with the clean-up operation over the summer. The Prime Minister's decision to invest more in flood defences was also a positive move, but three years is simply too long to wait. There is a strong and compelling case for ministers to bring forward the timetable for this investment so our villages, towns and cities are better protected.

"Action now to improve our drainage systems and upgrade our flood defences will prevent greater damage and higher costs in the future. Widespread flooding has a major impact on the road and rail network, which in turn has a significant effect on UK industry and commerce.

"There is a clear need to improve flood defences around crucial infrastructure as a matter of urgency. The summer floods demonstrated how vulnerable we are to the loss of sub-stations and water supply, and we simply cannot wait another three years to start taking these vital precautions.

"Councils are on the front line in the fight against climate change and are committed to helping keep the places where people live and work safe from flooding."

Liberal Democrat environment spokesperson Chris Huhne said that the LGA's submission showed that the government "has still not got to grips with the full impact of climate change".

He said: "Flood defence budgets are below where they should be, and there is still no agency with overarching responsibility for flooding."

Responding to the LGA's submission, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, said that investment in flood defences had to be planned carefully. In a statement, the department said: "Flood defence and coastal erosion risk management is a long-term business, and requires thorough assessment and proper planning if resources are to be invested to best reduce risk, so increased funding alone would not bring about improvements any faster."

(KMcA)