ENVIRONMENT AGENCY MUST HEED FLOOD PLAN CONCERNS - ÖPIK

12.07.17pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 4th Jul 2008

Montgomeryshire's Welsh Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Öpik has today called for a rethink on plans to flood a significant area of Llandrinio to divert water away from other areas, after the Secretary of State agreed to meet with him and local residents to discuss the proposals.

The Environment Agency have proposed to let this area flood as part of the River Severn Catchment Flood Management Plan (CFMP), sacrificing Llandrinio for the sake of other parts of the Marches.

During yesterday's Welsh Questions Secretary of State for Wales Paul Murphy MP agreed to Mr Öpik's request to meet with him and constituents to discuss the problem and try and find a solution.

The Review into last year's flooding, chaired by Sir Michael Pitt, has recently concluded, with the Final Report being published on the 25th June.

Commenting, Lembit Öpik said:

"These plans are being pushed through despite the ongoing concerns of local people. It is hard for people to accept that they should allow their homes and farms to be made more prone to flooding, whatever the benefits to others in the area.

"This course of action was agreed before we knew the findings of the Pitt Review, so it makes sense to have another look at these plans in light of those recommendations. Flooding is likely to be a significant problem now and in the future, so we owe it to people living in areas prone to flooding to get it right.

"I remain concerned that the Environment Agency don't appear to have taken on board the concerns of the people of Llandrinio. They need to work with local residents to find the best solution for all people in the area - it isn't right to just abandon a community."

On the consultation procedure Mr Öpik added:

"It is disappointing that it has been so difficult to get the Environment Agency to engage in a dialogue with local people on this issue, but sadly this could be a sign of things to come if the Government get their way.

"From removing consultation rights in the Planning Bill to dumping eco-towns on local communities with little apparent attention to the views of residents, the Government seem hell-bent on forcing their policy decisions upon people, whether they like it or not.

"Now that the Welsh Secretary has agreed to my request to meet with residents, I hope the Environment Agency will look again at these plans and actually consider the views of the people whose lives they are so deeply affecting."

ENDS