Charnwood Council Leader presses Environment Minister for more investment in flood defences

The Leader of Charnwood Council says some areas of the Borough have flooded for the first time in living history.

Yesterday the Secretary of state for the Environment, Steve Reed came to Quorn in Leicestershire, to see first-hand the impact of recent flooding and meet with Environment Agency teams who are leading on the response.

During the visit, the Environment Secretary and Environment Agency Chief Executive Philip Duffy spoke with responders who have been out on the ground, operating flood defences, issuing flood warnings and supporting the community.

Councillor Jewel Miah was there, he tells us the visit means a lot:

"That visit was very welcome because I was able to tell him first-hand the situation that people found themselves in, and that businesses found themselves in, and also it was important to press to him that we do need some investment in flood defences in the Soar Valley and in the area of Loughborough, just to prevent these damaging occurrences happening time and again.

"In some areas it was similar or the same as last year, however we had areas in the borough where it's flooded for the first time in living memory. So I suppose that's nature for you. You know we can foretell that rain is going to come, and the quantity of it, but we can't exactly tell where it's going to fall, and where it's going to affect. And the visit by the Secretary of State for Environment shows how important and how devastating the consequences of the weather is, and the fact that the government minister has come and seen first-hand, shows the seriousness that the government is taking with it.

"We're still compiling our list of how many homes have been flooded, because various agencies deal with and react to it, but at the moment we only have about 10 families in emergency temporary accommodation. We're assisting many more people who have said, you know, they wanted to stay and remain in their properties. So we're helping them too."

The Government has announced plans to invest £2.4 billion to build and upgrade flood defences protecting homes and business across the country and in Leicestershire.

The Secretary of State’s visit follows recent flooding causing disruption across the East Midlands, with river levels in Leicestershire reaching similar levels to those seen in Storm Henk.

The Environment Agency currently estimates that around 570 properties have flooded in Leicestershire and Rutland, and 18 in Nottinghamshire, while 2,034 properties have been protected due to the action taken by the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency continues to monitor the forecast and impacts on river levels. Its message to the public remains to check their flood risk, sign up for free flood warnings and keep up to date with the latest situation.

Environment Secretary Steve Reed said:

“My thoughts go out to all those homes, businesses and farms that have been flooded in recent days, including those in Leicestershire.

“I pay tribute to the emergency services and first responders across the region for their tireless work around the clock to keep communities safe.

“There is much more work needed to be done to protect homes, including those in Quorn.

“That is why we are investing £2.4 billion over the next two years to build and maintain flood defences, protecting homes and businesses across the country.”

See online for the latest situation on flooding impacts.

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