SEVERN TRENT AND PLANNERS GET BLAME

7.00.00pm GMT Fri 14th Dec 2007

Two county MPs have given evidence at the Commons flood inquiry.The Cheltenham and Tewkesbury MPs criticised Severn Trent for lack of communication, and planning officers for building on floodplains.

Martin Horwood, told the Commons environment select committee that Severn Trent failed to warn Gold Command to protect the infrastructure.

Gold Command co-ordinated the emergency operation in the county.

Mr Horwood said by only informing Gold Command of the loss of the Mythe works hours after it was evacuated, the water company implied its resilience and emergency planning wasn't sorted out.

He was also critical of the distribution of bowsers.

He told the committee: "They missed out entire parts of Cheltenham."

And he said of Severn Trent: "It was an event they perhaps couldn't have predicted but their response didn't seem adequate."

He added Ofwat had let them off the hook.

Tewkesbury MP Laurence Robertson said more than 800 people were still living in caravans, and businesses were still suffering.

He added there was also a fear residents would not be able to get insurance, and if they could, they would be faced with soaring premiums.

Mr Robertson was critical of plans for new homes in areas at risk of flooding.

From the Gloucestershire Echo www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk

14 December 2007