Shouldn't The Government Have Seen This Coming?

[pdq1]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20786462

This is not a new phenonemen! Floods have happened before! Its not even confined to Britain as its now a world wide problem. Predictions of once in a hundred years are totally unrealistic as they are occuring annually or even bi-annually.

At the same time we hear £19bn has been spent in Afghanistan so far. Couldn't they have at least spent a few £billions sorting out our flood defences to minimize the occurrences?

[emmie]

some flood defences have not stood up to the constant deluge, you can plan all you like but if you get extreme weather then you cannot plan for that, you just have to do the best you can. Not sure what the government has got to do with it, expect throw money at the situation, these houses may be in areas like flood plains, answer, don't build there.

[chaptazbru]

The Env Agency and Council are currently having flood defences built in my area at a cost of £23m (some funded by the government). I live just around the corner from River Mersey. I had a flood warning telephone call last Friday, but it only breached the banks and didn't come anywhere near the houses.

[pdq1]

From what I have seen em flooding has occurred because of heavy rainfall which drains into rivers causing overflows which affects lower land levels including villages. The costs of repairs to properties must be immense. The government play a huge part in river defences and have a department called the NRA National Rivers authority. The government do pay a small bit towards river and sea defences about £600 to £800 a year but this is obviously not enough.

[aelmpvw]

£600 to £800 a year is obviously not enough

[excelsior-1]

and yet, in the spring they will still be bleating on about droughts and threatening hose-pipe bans

[Cruciformist]

Our Severnside town has just had £4.5 million spent on flood defences.

[pdq1]

Apologies to chaptazbru..the NRA was replaced by the Environment Agency in 1996

[emmie]

if that is the case they need to put a good deal more money into it.

[pdq1]

Should read £600m and £800m oviously.

[emmie]

that is a lot more, so do they need more or better planning..

[pdq1]

So short sighted by the governnment em

"///Flooding is the biggest threat the UK faces from climate change, yet even after today's mini U-turn the Government will still be spending less on flood defences next year than in 2008.

"Every £1 invested in flood defences saves £8 later and provides much needed construction work///.

[whiskeryron]

Perhaps this is a stupid question but why in suspect areas don't they build houses on stilts ?

WR.

[penelope2]

I know the area featured, Wallington, well. The problem is twofold. Firstly it is tidal and then reaches a fresh/salt water viaduct. Secondly the adverse weather has swollen the river Wallington before it reaches the viaduct, hence the combination of the two (particularly at high tides) causes the problem. The walled defences are usually sufficient although their have been minor flooding issues in the past.

[deggers316]

the movement uses our money for this that's where they get the money from
they cant cure all flooding everywhere,

[deggers316]

government not movement

[pdq1]

Good idea for flood plains whiskyron

[pdq1]

You're right Steve. The only subjects that make them sit up and think are:

1. Plebgate as it concerns an MP
2. Levenson as they always like to see themselves reported in the press.
3. Voting rights for prisoners....well they can't have crooks voting for honest MPs can they.

[TWR]

Year gone by the water board used to clear rivers of silt, Drains, where are they now? do you ever see them?