Flood Protection (Warrington)

Oral Answers to Questions — Environment, Food and Rural Affairs – in the House of Commons at 10:30 am on 13 October 2011.

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Photo of David Mowat David Mowat Conservative, Warrington South 10:30, 13 October 2011

What steps her Department is considering taking to protect households in Warrington from flooding.

Photo of Richard Benyon Richard Benyon The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

Before I start, may I welcome the new members of the Opposition Front-Bench team and the returning member, Huw Irranca-Davies? That is a great pleasure and I look forward to working with them in future weeks; the hon. Gentleman is living proof that one can boil cabbage twice.

The Environment Agency is working closely with partners to develop a scheme that will reduce the risk of flooding from the River Mersey to 2,000 properties in Warrington. Last year, DEFRA provided £200,000 to Warrington borough council, which it used to address local flood risk for 30 homes in Dallam and Orford. Flood risk from rivers in Warrington is also actively managed by water course maintenance, flood warning and development control.

Photo of David Mowat David Mowat Conservative, Warrington South

I thank the Minister for that reply, and, as he says, the work that has taken and is taking place in Westy is much appreciated. In other parts of Warrington, around Penketh and Sankey, the previously planned work has been delayed. Will the Minister give some indication of the time scales for that work?

Photo of Richard Benyon Richard Benyon The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

It is to my hon. Friend’s credit that he continuously raises these issues with the Environment Agency and the Department. The Sankey area is of great concern to a number of households. It does not rate as highly as the other much larger scheme in the

Warrington area and it will be considered, as is the way, with complete transparency in the funding scheme that has been announced, which will be considered by the local flood authority in due course.

Photo of Andrew Love Andrew Love Labour, Edmonton

It is allied to Warrington.

Photo of Andrew Love Andrew Love Labour, Edmonton

If I may say so, Mr Speaker, the similarities are very great, because just like Warrington, we suffered—