The rise in serious flooding in Norfolk over the last few years is caused by a number of factors: climate change; new housing estates with inadequate drain infrastructure; a serious lack of maintenance of our rivers, drains, ditches and culverts; and a lack of clearly understood legal responsibilities. 

No one should live in fear of flooding every time it rains.

That’s why I was in Old Buckenham with Cllr Stephen Askew this past week to help convene a meeting between Anglian Water and parish council representatives and residents from both Old Buckenham and nearby Banham.

Both communities have been affected by local flooding issues over the years – but there has been a significant increase in these problems since Christmas 2020.

Friday’s conversation saw us share local knowledge with Anglian Water and secure from them a commitment to help create a Multi-Agency Group that can work towards long term solutions to the problems faced. Together with Stephen, I am now following up to help make that happen.

Rest assured, I will continue to support Stephen and these local communities.

To find out more about my wider Mid Norfolk Flooding Campaign, including the Flooding Bill I am bringing to Parliament and the Norfolk Flood Prevention Summit I am helping Norfolk County Council and their Norfolk Strategic Flooding Alliance to establish, please visit my website here