UK flood defence chaotic
There was a total lack of awareness about the vulnerability of large parts of the country to flooding until the heavy rainfall of last summer, according to the UK Parliament's Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee
In a report published today (May 7), Flooding, the Committee found areas which had been considered at low risk of flooding were badly affected by the surface water flooding in June and July last year. It found flood defence measures focussed almost exclusively on river and coastal flooding and that the infrastructure to deal with floods caused by heavy rainfall was in an "unclear and chaotic state".
The Chairman of the Committee, the Rt Hon Michael Jack MP, said: "The public will not forgive the Government if it is not seen to be responding to the lessons learnt from the floods of last summer.
"Our report has shown how confused and chaotic was the infrastructure when it came to preventing and dealing with surface water flooding. The Government must bring clarity to this situation so that the public, wherever they live, can have peace of mind that every effort is being made to avoid a repeat of the fiasco of last summer. See Articles.
