Storm Babet has reminded us again why we must continue to take flooding seriously.
Attleborough was one of several Mid Norfolk communities badly impacted, with severe flooding on Mill Lane, Norwich Road, Ferguson Way and other nearby streets. For some, it was the fourth time they had been flooded in 30 years – and the second time in just under three years. I appreciate, and share, the immense anger and frustration felt by those that have been forced to leave their homes as a result of the damage suffered this past weekend.
That’s why I held an emergency meeting today with Norfolk County Council and their Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance, Anglian Water and Breckland District Council to get to the bottom of what is causing the flooding at the watercourse and culvert on Mill Lane, as well as ensure that those with statutory flooding responsibilities come together and develop an urgent action plan.
While NCC began working on proposals to address flooding at this location in light of the December 2020 flooding, Storm Babet has brought into sharper focus the need to upscale and accelerate those proposals, and address other issues such as questions around which authority is responsible for the culvert and watercourse and therefore who should be maintaining them.
I had made clear that there needs to be:
- A proper plan for ensuring affected residents (and the wider community) are protected from further flooding this winter.
- An acceleration and upscaling of efforts to put in place a long term solution.
- A proper plan for who is going to be responsible for this culvert and watercourse in due course.
- Agreement on who is going to keep the culvert and watercourse clear NOW – while the longer term plan is being developed and implemented.
I am in close contact with local district councillors and a number of those worst affected by the flooding and am determined to help them work with key stakeholders to develop a solution.
We must see action. This must not be allowed to happen again. And residents should not be risking their own safety to try and keep this culvert clear during storms and heavy rainfall.
More widely, I will be reconvening the Mid Norfolk Flood Partnership I established as a result of the Winter 2020/21 flooding to help support those affected by Storm Babet and ensure our communities have the strongest possible voice heading into this autumn/winter.
Rest assured, I will continue to support councillors and residents in the days, weeks and months ahead.
To see my Flooding Update earlier this week, please click here
To find out more about my historic campaign work on flooding, please visit my campaign page here
