Wednesday 11 June 2008

EA urges "national effort" to tackle flooding

"Nearly one year after severe floods in England, the Environment Agency has warned that ministers, councils and utility firms need to act."

"People should also protect themselves and their homes from flooding and sign up to warning schemes, the agency said."

"The Local Government Association said the law should be changed to introduce penalties for utility companies and other organisations who fail to take proper action to reduce the risk of flooding."

Paul Bettison, chairman of the Local Government Association's environment board said:

"There are glaring gaps in this country's readiness to cope with widespread and prolonged flooding."

"Last summer's floods were no fluke, and we run the real risk of witnessing a repeat - or worse - unless urgent action is taken now."

"We need to get back to basics. There should be no opt-out, no excuses and clear penalties for anybody who refuses to cooperate with managing our water systems."

"Councils should be allowed to start banging heads together so we can be better prepared to protect people and property."

Click on the link below to read the article in full:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7446561.stm

No comments: