'NO FLOOD DEFENCE STRATEGY, COUNCIL'S ANSWER, IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH' - SAY'S MEDWAY LIB DEM CAMPAIGNER
Last month Liberal Democrats wrote to Medway Council, concerned by the findings of a recently released report from the Environment Agency (EA) ‘Isle of Grain Policy Unit: Thames Estuary (TE2100)’ . The report highlights the likely widespread flooding of the Isle of Grain on the Thames estuary, in extreme weather events. Land on some parts of the Peninsula is within flood zone 3 which has a high probability of flooding. Current measures are inadequate - existing flood defences might reduce the risk, but could fail. Flash floods will increase in number by 2050 and sea levels are predicted to rise by 10 - 30 cm also.
TE2100 calls on the Council to produce Riverside strategies either as a standalone document or part of a Local Plan, created with local communities, and in place by 2030. Visions for the riverside show how flood defence upgrades can deliver social value and multiple benefits. In some places in the outer estuary, they will need to be in place earlier. This is because planning for defence raising will need to start before 2030. Decisions taken in this decade will determine the quality of public space along the river for generations.
Alan Wells, Medway Liberal Democrats Strood Rural campaigner said, "I am very concerned about the findings of the report, to protect the Isle of Grain and this part of the Peninsula against future sea level rise. This is now a matter of some urgency on the part of various agencies, including the Council. I take the matter seriously when the Council does not provide clarity in responding to my question over its role, as one of the partners in providing future defences.
The Council has target deadlines set out in the EA's report. The Council could of stated in its reply that the Local Plan is a vehicle for setting aside land for flood defences. It could of also stated its willingness and commitment to engage with the local community on this topic. The reply (attached) failed to set out any strategy, to deliver flood defences in its response to the detailed question.
There must be more done to address flood risks, both by improving natural flood defences and slowing the flow, and by catalysing and supporting everyone in flood risk zones. The answer to my question to Medway Council simply isn’t good enough.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
For the report visit: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/isle-of-grain-policy-unit-thames-estuary-2100
What needs to be done to manage flood risk and adapt to rising sea levels in Isle of Grain, one of 23 policy units in Thames Estuary 2100 (TE2100).
From:Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs and Environment Agency Published 19 April 2023
Environment Agency director of flood risk strategy and national adaptation Julie Foley said “What we already know in the Thames Estuary is that climate change is happening: sea level is rising faster than we were expecting, assets are deteriorating faster than we were expecting and some of the key dates that we originally thought we needed for bringing forward investments and raising flood defences are coming forward.”