Statements
Oral Ministerial Statement by Hilary Benn on Flooding
23 JULY 2007
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Mr Hilary Benn)
With permission, Mr Speaker, I would like to make a statement about the serious flooding that occurred over the weekend.
A band of rain swept across Central and Southern England on Friday, developing into intense rainstorms. In 24 hours, up to 160mm (6½ inches) of rain fell. With already saturated ground, this rapidly entered rivers and drainage systems, overwhelming them.
Transport was severely disrupted, with the M5 and M50 affected and train services unable to run. Many local roads remain closed and the public is advised not to travel in the worst hit areas.
he most serious flooding has been experienced across central England, and in particular in Worcestershire, Warwickshire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire, Lincolnshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. I must emphasise that this emergency is far from over and further flooding is very likely as the Thames and Severn fill with floodwaters from within their catchments.
There are currently eight severe flood warnings in place, covering the Severn, the Thames and the Great Ouse in Bedford. 50 other flood warnings are in place across England and Wales.
We believe that up to 10,000 homes have been or could be flooded. Our thoughts are, of course, with all of those whose lives have been so badly affected by these floods.
In addition, up to 150,000 properties in the area including Tewkesbury, Gloucester and Cheltenham have lost, or risk losing, mains water following flooding of the Mythe water treatment works at Tewkesbury. This loss of water supply is serious and we do not expect houses to have service restored for some days. Severn Trent, the water company, are making provision for some 900 bowsers to be deployed and refilled by tankers, for those people without mains water. The company report that about 240 bowsers are already in place, and priority is being given to hospitals and vulnerable customers.
Precautionary notices to boil water have also been issued in Sutton, Surrey following rain water getting into treated water storage.
Electricity supply is also a concern. A number of local electricity sub stations have been affected by flood water, and about 45,000 properties have lost power, including at Castle Mead and Tewkesbury.
A major National Grid switching station at Walham, Gloucester, remains under threat, which could result in 200,000 additional properties or more losing their supply. This would have a knock-on effect on water supplies.
Yesterday evening, armed forces personnel were drafted in to help fire service and Environment Agency staff to erect a kilometre long temporary barrier around the site and to start pumping out 18 inches of flood water behind the barrier. So far these defences are holding but the water is still rising so it is touch and go. If it does flood then the National Grid will be used as far as possible, but properties in the affected area will lose power. Contingency planning is underway to ensure continuity of essential services and supplies.
Last night, the Prime Minister chaired a meeting of COBR and today he visited Gloucester. Other Ministerial colleagues and I have also been to see the problems first hand, in my case visiting Worcester, Evesham and Gloucester yesterday.
I am sure the whole House will wish to thank the emergency services, the armed forces, staff from the Environment Agency local councils and the utilities, and others for the way in which they have worked together in implementing the emergency plans. I would also like to thank local communities for their huge effort in helping each other.
Because this emergency continues, I would ask the public to listen out for flood warnings, particularly on local radio stations, to contact the Environment Agency floodline on 0845 9881188, to respond to advice about evacuation and to look out for neighbours and anyone who may be vulnerable as a result of flooding, or loss of power and/or water supply.
People should not go into flood water and children should certainly not play in it. Even 6 inches of fast moving water can knock people off their feet, and the water will often be polluted or hide dangers.
As the waters recede, the clear-up will begin. The revised Bellwin rules will assist local authorities in the areas affected to cover the immediate costs of dealing with the flooding and its aftermath, and the Government will now look at the further support required for these areas. And we will also increase funding for flood defences to £800 million by 2010-11 as I informed the House on 2 July.
Finally, Madam Deputy Speaker, the review which I have set up to learn the lessons from the floods of this Summer will, of course, look at what has happened over the past three days. I have decided that I will ask an independent person to oversee the review.
I will keep the House informed of developments
