OVER the last couple of weeks, we have seen terrible scenes of devastation caused by flooding on our televisions. The majority of our immediate area seems to have escaped such devastation, despite what seems like continuous rain. In some areas of the country, two months of rain fell in just two days.
Now, the Government’s most important task is to help families who are still suffering from these floods. Even though now is not the time for partisan point-scoring, in due course we will want to know whether lessons from past floods have been learnt, and how we can improve coordination between local and national bodies.
Flood defences must be a top priority; however it is unfortunate that the chaos at the Rural Payments Agency led to cuts in vital flood defence work. It is also vital that floodplains should not be built on unless the safety of both assets and communities can be guaranteed, and that drainage systems – from both towns and farms – will be greatly improved. With the Government planning to build tens of thousands more houses across the country, it is vital for the impact of floodplains to be seriously considered.
The emergency services reacted superbly, despite a blurring of lines of responsibility. The lines of responsibility indicating which bodies are in charge and take the lead in preventing flooding and in tackling flooding emergencies.
The effects of such extreme weather are a stark reminder of the importance of both adapting to and preventing climate change. It is affecting our country in so many different ways.
The insurance industry has estimated that claims relating to these floods will total £1.5 billion, covering both domestic and business claims. With such huge sums of money involved, it is vital that preventative measures are pursued without delay. The cost to families cannot, and should not, be judged just in monetary terms, but the stress families are subjected to is immeasurable.
HAVING walked the greenway on Sunday to Burton Green village ...
Solihull and the wider Birmingham region has been dealt blow ...
I was shocked and dismayed to read the letter entitled ...
WEST Midlands Police has spent £65,000 on signs which state ...
SOLIHULL and the wider region should brace itself for further ...
SOLIHULL Council has confirmed all town speed cameras will be ...
A FEMALE driver who ignored parking restrictions outside a Solihull ...
THE story of the home to one of Knowle's longest ...
FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to West Midlands Police ...
A SOLIHULL man has been arrested for causing a danger ...
THE PEOPLE of Shirley have voted against the controversial Parkgate ...
PLANS to create a new heart for Shirley have been ...
AS CHILDREN returned to school this week both Arden and ...
BREAST cancer patients at Solihull Hospital are getting pampering manicures ...
ONE hundred jobs are to go in Solihull after it ...
THE number of bobbies on the beat in Solihull may ...
THE TWO Solihull primary school teachers arrested on suspicion of ...
BINMEN in Solihull are up in arms after being told ...
A CASHIER at a Shirley law firm has admitted stealing ...
