9 November 2010
Cotswolds MP Geoffrey Clifton-Brown has continued his efforts to ensure that towns and villages across the Cotswolds are protected against potential flood risk.
Mr Clifton-Brown arranged and chaired three separate public meetings in Lechlade, Fairford and Moreton-in-Marsh on Friday the 5 November for local residents to hear of the continued flood resilience work taking place in the respective towns. All three meetings were attended by Cllr Barry Gibbs the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities together with officials from Cotswold District Council, officials from Gloucestershire County Council to deal with highways matters, and officials from the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
In the Fairford meeting it was established that there is currently £120,000 available for small scale flood defence measures, however, this will not protect the entire town and the Town & District Council will soon be deciding whether to pursue the small scale measures or to attempt to secure funding for a larger scheme.
During the Lechlade meeting it was announced that there is a very good resilience plan in place and good progress is being made in clearing the local water courses. However, the Environment Agency funding cuts may mean that funds will not be available to ensure Downington Ditch is not cleared in the future
In the Moreton-on-the-Marsh meeting an update was given on the progress of the 3 bunds installation proposal. Currently progress is being held up by the need for agreement to the proposal by the landowner and agreement to providing funding for maintenance by the Local Authority. The new Trash Screen, although expensive, is working well. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this scheme will be approved by April and contractors will be working on the proposals by next May.
Commenting on the three meetings, the MP said, “I was delighted to meet with the residents of Lechlade, Fairford and Moreton-in-Marsh. I believe this was valuable opportunity to update the residents in all three previously affected areas, to hear of the continued flood resilience work taking place in the respective towns and to speak with officials from the County and District Councils, Thames Water and the Environment Agency about ongoing issues . One of the objectives of these meetings is to ensure each authority is accountable to the public for its progress on flooding issues and does not shift responsibility onto another authority.”
“Last Friday served as a continuation of the local engagement process and I will continue to monitor progress on these matters carefully and to ensure all that can be done will be done by the relevant authorities.”
Mr Clifton-Brown arranged and chaired three separate public meetings in Lechlade, Fairford and Moreton-in-Marsh on Friday the 5 November for local residents to hear of the continued flood resilience work taking place in the respective towns. All three meetings were attended by Cllr Barry Gibbs the Cabinet Member for Environment and Communities together with officials from Cotswold District Council, officials from Gloucestershire County Council to deal with highways matters, and officials from the Environment Agency and Thames Water.
In the Fairford meeting it was established that there is currently £120,000 available for small scale flood defence measures, however, this will not protect the entire town and the Town & District Council will soon be deciding whether to pursue the small scale measures or to attempt to secure funding for a larger scheme.
During the Lechlade meeting it was announced that there is a very good resilience plan in place and good progress is being made in clearing the local water courses. However, the Environment Agency funding cuts may mean that funds will not be available to ensure Downington Ditch is not cleared in the future
In the Moreton-on-the-Marsh meeting an update was given on the progress of the 3 bunds installation proposal. Currently progress is being held up by the need for agreement to the proposal by the landowner and agreement to providing funding for maintenance by the Local Authority. The new Trash Screen, although expensive, is working well. Nonetheless, it is hoped that this scheme will be approved by April and contractors will be working on the proposals by next May.
Commenting on the three meetings, the MP said, “I was delighted to meet with the residents of Lechlade, Fairford and Moreton-in-Marsh. I believe this was valuable opportunity to update the residents in all three previously affected areas, to hear of the continued flood resilience work taking place in the respective towns and to speak with officials from the County and District Councils, Thames Water and the Environment Agency about ongoing issues . One of the objectives of these meetings is to ensure each authority is accountable to the public for its progress on flooding issues and does not shift responsibility onto another authority.”
“Last Friday served as a continuation of the local engagement process and I will continue to monitor progress on these matters carefully and to ensure all that can be done will be done by the relevant authorities.”
