YP Letters: National authority needed for flood defence

From: John Goodman, Retired drainage consultant, Cottingham, Hull.
Flooding remains a concern in the Humber estuary.Flooding remains a concern in the Humber estuary.
Flooding remains a concern in the Humber estuary.

A COMMITTEE of influencial MPs recently ruled that the Environment Agency (EA) should be stripped of its flood responsibilities, having found that it was not fit for purpose.

The EA is largely responsible for the drainage over most of the Humber Estuary and so it is very disappointing that MPs and councillors for the area have not raised their concerns over the committee’s findings.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

To protect from a tidal surge up the Humber, the EA has spent in the region of £1bn on raising the tidal defences, yet it admits it does not know what the surface height of the next surge could reach. Worse still, it is giving added protection to some areas to the detriment of others, a totally illegal action.

Only a Humber barrier could guarantee flood protection and thus prevent damage that could exceed £30bn and the loss of many lives.

MPs also recommended the appointment of a National Flood Commissioner with responsibility for flooding throughout the country. I do not believe this is the right way forward. The correct solution is for a National Water Authority. Most of the present schemes are little more than public relations excercises, using huge amounts of money to little effect.