Rebecca Harris has welcomed the news that the four agencies responsible for helping prevent homes from flooding in Castle Point have committed to work together to deliver on the recommendations of a key report released earlier this Autumn into flooding across Benfleet, Thundersley, Hadleigh and Canvey last year on 20th October. That night over sixty homes were flooded when over 50mm of rain fell in just three hours, overwhelming the local drainage network.
The eleven recommendations of the ‘Section 19’ report by Essex County Council into that flooding include exploring the need for new sustainable water management measures that optimise the local drainage networks and the creation of a new separate stormwater network around badly affected areas. The recommendations also include reviews into the Local Flood Risk Management Strategy and Surface Water Management Plan, two documents that inform local housing planning policy for the Borough.
The commitment was given at a meeting called by Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris in the House of Commons in December. At the meeting Anglian Water, Castle Point Borough Council, The Environment Agency and Essex County Council agreed to continue to work together to ensure all the recommendations in the report were delivered to better prevent flooding across Castle Point in the future.
Speaking on the commitment Rebecca Harris MP said:
“I called the meeting because local residents need reassurance that action will be taken. I am very pleased that all the agencies have agreed with the recommendations in the report and will be working together to get things done. Castle Point is no stranger to flooding events and the agencies have spent over £20 million on flood prevention works on Canvey since the devastating floods of 2014 and are about to invest an extra £75 million on upgrades to the sea wall. The flooding event that took place last year was the first flood event in living memory, however where houses in every town in the whole Borough experienced flooding and this is the first flood investigation report that makes recommendations for all of the Borough. This commitment will hopefully lead to a great deal of extra investment in the flood network across the whole Borough and all the flooding agencies have my full support in seeking the necessary funding for the drainage improvements we need.”
Anglian Water said:
“We are proud to continue our support of communities across Castle Point. Ever since the surface water flooding on Canvey Island back in 2013 and 2014 we’ve been committed to making a difference. That’s why over the last nine years we’ve supported work to map ordinary watercourses across the borough, installed rain gardens and water butts on Canvey Island, found and repaired many examples of sewer misuse, and are now supporting the development of a new wetland at Benfleet Water Recycling Centre. Wherever possible we will work together in partnership with other stakeholders to support those most at risk from flooding.”
Castle Point Borough Council said:
“The Council strongly supports the need for all the relevant authorities to work together to help reduce the risk of flooding in the Borough and also to ensure that when an event does occur the quickest possible response can be made and those affected are provided with the best support” said Councillor David Blackwell, the Leader of Castle Point Borough Council.
“We thank Rebecca Harris MP for her support but unfortunately, with changes to our climate we need to acknowledge that these events may become more frequent. We are taking the lead to ensure a continued multi agency response by setting up a new “Flood Forum” at Castle Point Borough Council which will focus on the solutions which will come through working together, sharing data and implementing a coordinated action plan.”
