FLOODING REPORT OF LITTLE CONSOLATION AFTER SUMMER OF RAINY DISCONTENT- LIZ LYNNE

12.00.00am GMT Thu 6th Dec 2007

Welcoming today's Environment Agency review of this summers flooding which caused severe damage across her West Midlands region constituency, Shropshire Euro MP Liz Lynne said she was glad the government has finally accepted that more needs to be done to prepare against flooding, but believes the report is little comfort for those individuals affected by this summer's devastation.

The floods caused enormous damage in Shropshire, most notably along the route of the Severn Valley Railway, the Corve Bridge in Ludlow, as well as communities along the Severn and the Teme. Flash floods also occurred in Much Wenlock because of inadequate culverts and drains.

Liz Lynne said:

"I welcome this report but unfortunately Hillary Benn appears to have missed the point. While he thinks the main issue was that not enough people are signed up to the early warning system, the overwhelming problem is that not enough money was spent on preventing flooding and not enough has been pledged now.

"News on action on drainage is welcome; I called for an urgent review of drainage maintenance policies in July. However local authorities have the lead on this and they need the resources to do what is necessary Lack of resources for drainage is what caused the serious flooding in several parts of my constituency.

"I hope that the government will learn from their mistakes and will listen to and promptly act on some of the recommendations in this report. It is a scandal that we were so unprepared in July and we must ensure that we are better prepared in the future."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

Liz Lynne has campaigned for action and funding from the EU and UK government since the devastating summer floods, speaking and asking questions in the European Parliament and corresponding with the UK ministers concerned.

Liz Lynne has repeatedly called for the streamlining of the rules and application process for the EU Solidarity Fund, to make sure aid reaches where it is needed more quickly, in the light of the UK and Eastern European floods, and the Greek forest fires. The UK is due to receive £100m in funding from the EU Solidarity Fund to cover some of the emergency costs of the flooding.

During the flooding she was herself for a time marooned in her Worcestershire home while her village was flooded.