Press Release
RICHARD BURT
Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, West Worcestershire
Contact: 07970 713 032 Embargo: Immediate 2nd July 2007
FLOOD DEFENCES CALL FOR TENBURY
West Worcestershire’s Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt has
written to Environment Agency bosses calling for immediate action to protect
Tenbury residents from further flooding misery. Mr Burt said that the River Teme
had been neglected since flood protection measures had been stopped in the
1970’s. He also criticised Malvern Hills District Council for not delivering
sufficient sandbags in time to stem the flooding that saw dozens of families
evacuated from their homes.
Richard Burt said:
“Flood defences on the Severn have proved to be very effective, but the
Environment Agency and the District Council seem to have been caught out by the
extent of the flooding – the worst in Tenbury since 1947.
“The Kyre Brook has not been cleaned out for many years and even has trees
growing in the middle of the stream. Most of the sandbags from the District
Council were delivered to the town on Friday, two days too late to save the
worst of the flooding in Church Street, Malthouse Mews, Riverside and Scotland
Place. Why doesn’t the Town Council store the sandbags in Tenbury? It seems a
nonsense for supplies to be transported in by the District Council when they are
most urgently needed in the town.
“I have written to Environment Agency bosses asking for immediate measures to be
taken to improve flood protection now that the clean up operation is underway
and the immediate threat has passed. Tenbury residents deserve no less than
people in Upton or Worcester when it comes to flood protection.”
Mr Burt has also written to the new Secretary of State for the Environment,
Hilary Benn MP calling for extra money for flood defences in line with
Parliamentary Select Committee recommendations to increase flood defences
funding to £750million within five years.
Ends.
For further information or comment, please contact Richard Burt on 07970 713032
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