Martin issues flood warning (Cheltenham Liberal Democrats)

Cheltenham Liberal Democrats <info@cheltlibdems.org.uk>

Martin issues flood warning

November 12, 2009 4:15 PM

Cheltenham MP Martin Horwood today visited the Lower Severn Internal Drainage Board and warned that more needed to be done to make flood warnings more accurate, faster and more specific.

With possible storms forecast this weekend by the Met Office, Martin was visiting the Drainage Board as part of his front bench responsibilities as the Lib Dem leader on the Floods Bill which is due in the Queen's speech next Wednesday.

Martin said:

"Two and a half years after the 2007 floods the government has only made a start on improving flood warnings. The Met Office now has the technology to predict local rainfall with much greater accuracy but this is not translated into a flood warning system with anything more than generalised alerts.

We should be working towards a system that accurately translates these rainfall predictions into specific neighbourhood alerts of likely surface water flooding. Even half an hour's warning to a household at risk could give people vital time to save valued possessions. Not only would that save individuals from huge personal loss but it would save the insurance industry and the country billions and reduce the cost of insurance for everybody."