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RICHARD BURT
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, West Worcestershire

Contact: 07970 713 032 Embargo: Immediate 1st August 2007


RICHARD BURT MEETS ENVIRONMENT SECRETARY IN PUSH FOR FLOOD DEFENCES

West Worcestershire’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate Richard Burt today met with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Hilary Benn, and joined with local residents to push for greater protection against future flooding for towns across Worcestershire.

Mr. Benn heard that Upton had flooded six times within the last eight months and is now the most frequently flooded town in the country.

Richard Burt said:

“Towns like Upton-upon-Severn require full flood defences, not temporary alternatives.”

He asked the Secretary of State to consider changing DEFRA guidelines to reflect the frequency of flooding as well as the number of people affected in deciding where to invest in new defences.

The LibDem candidate reinforced the view that flood defences should be kept where they are needed rather than stored miles away.

Mr Burt also said that the Fire Service should be given a lead role in flood defence as well as coping with the aftermath of flooding.

“Fire Services are already in the frontline when it comes to rescue and mop-up operations. But every flood affected town has a full-time or retained fire station, so why not train firefighters to play a lead role in flood prevention too?

“Chief Fire Officers have talked about a fuller role for the Fire Service in flood protection. Its time we listened,” added Mr Burt.

“I welcome the Secretary of State’s visit to Worcestershire, and have strongly urged him to look at the issue of locally stored flood defences and a full flood prevention scheme for Upton in the government’s upcoming review.”

Commenting after the meeting, Hilary Benn said:

“The Government will follow up discussions on the location and scale of flood defences with the Environment Agency and will look at all possible alternatives.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Below the Secretary of State for the Environment Hilary Benn, with Richard Burt in Upton after surveying businesses hit by last week’s floods.

For further information or comment, please contact Richard Burt on 07970 713032
 

Environment secretary visits most flooded town
Peter Austin - Worcester Standard
03 August 2007

ENVIRONMENT Secretary Hilary Benn visited Upton-upon-Severn this week to assess the damage caused by the recent flooding.
Mr Benn heard during his visit on Wednesday how Upton had flooded six times in the last eight months, making it the most frequently flooded town in England.
Richard Burt, Lib Dem PPC for West Worcestershire, spoke to Mr Benn during his visit and asked him to respond to calls for flood defences being kept where they are needed, rather than having to be brought from miles away.
Mr Benn said: "The Government will follow up discussions on the location and scale of flood defences with the Environment Agency and will look at all possible alternatives."
Mr Burt said he welcomed the Secretary of State's visit to Worcestershire.
"I have strongly urged him to look at the issue of locally stored flood defences and a full flood prevention scheme for Upton in the government’s upcoming review," he said.

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