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Rt. Hon. Sir Alan Beith MPLiberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Berwick Upon TweedWorking for you and the Berwick upon Tweed Constituency all year roundin Northumberland and in Westminster |
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Beith slams Minister for failing to pledge support following floods
October 21, 2008 12:30 PM
Alan Beith has been fighting for more help for our area following the floods early in September 2008.
Following a Parliamentary debate on the September floods in Northumberland, Sir Alan Beith MP said
"The Minister for Farming and the Environment spent far too much time telling us where flood defences had worked and not enough time on what could be done here in Northumberland.
"Although she left the door open for increasing the level of financial support for our local councils for their uninsured losses, she gave no assurance that they would be able to recover 100% of these costs, which was the support given to councils in other parts of the country affected by flooding in 2007."
Under the Bellwin scheme, local councils can recover up to 85% of their uninsured losses from the Government but claims have to be made within two months. Last year councils in Hull, Doncaster, Sheffield and Gloucestershire were given longer to make their claims and received 100% of their uninsured losses along with additional funds to help with the clean up and rebuilding operations. During the debate Alan Beith called for this level of support to be given to local councils in Northumberland.
As well as covering the impact of flooding on Rothbury and along the Coquet in the debate, Alan Beith raised the problems which have affected farmers and businesses along the Till valley. He told the Minister:
"Other places where houses and businesses were flooded included Belford, Kirknewton and a large area of the Till valley near Wooler, where rural businesses were completely deluged, crops destroyed and more than 800 sheep and other animals drowned. In the Ingram valley, the only road was washed away and homes were severely at risk.
"In the Till valley, older flood defences have been pierced to protect homes, which seemed to work, but agriculture and local businesses, such as the Fenton centre, paid a high price. Tourist businesses such as the Heatherslaw railway and the café were hit hard. The flooding of one group of recently built properties at Canno Mill, Kirknewton, was no surprise. The Environment Agency had objected to planning permission in 2004 because the development was on a floodplain. That is a clear warning for the future. The future flood strategy for the Till and its tributaries needs wide public discussion."
Alan Beith also raised the question of the essential repairs which are needed for Amble Harbour. He said
"Costs of several thousands of pounds have already been incurred on emergency stabilisation works, and engineers are deciding what needs to be done as the next step. It is not clear how funding for the works will be accessed or whether it can be obtained. The infrastructure of the harbour remains vital for the fishing community, the leisure boating businesses and the flood protection of the town of Amble. I have asked the Minister to give urgent consideration to that problem."
The failure of warning systems on the Coquet had a devastating impact on Rothbury, as well as Warkworth, and further south in Morpeth where the warning system for the Wansbeck did not work effectively. Alan Beith said
"The Minister and I had a further conversation after the debate and I pressed the Minister for a public discussion between the Environment Agency and those communities most affected by the floods."
Alnwick's Lionheart Radio is planning a special programme on the flooding which will be broadcast during the morning of Saturday 25 October 2008.
The full text of the debate can be found in Commons Hansard, 20 October 2008, Col 133 et seq, online at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm081020/debtext/81020-0021.htm
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