John Penrose

Conservative Party | Weston-super-Mare

MP Worried over Yeo

Local MP John Penrose today warned of the flood risk faced by areas like Worle and St. Georges from the Congresbury Yeo.

The area, which is designated a Flood Risk Zone 3 area, is in the highest risk category. This means the current flood defences only protect against a 1 in 10 year flood, instead of the recommended 1 in 200 year standard. Communities which are potentially affected include Kewstoke, Sand Bay, Wick St Lawrence, St Georges, parts of Worle as well as villages from the north bank of the river all the way up to Clevedon.

While the Environment Agency undertook emergency piling works to secure the situation for the October high tides, the capital scheme proposed for 2008/9, which was set to rectify the situation, has been put on hold due to a change of ‘national priorities’.

Weston-super-Mare MP John Penrose said:

“I was shocked to learn that the Environment Agency has abandoned the area to its fate.

“A few weeks ago I watched one of the highest tides of the year at Tutshill Sluice, when the water came to the very brim of the bank. Thankfully the weather was calm, but a winter storm could mean that the Yeo would burst its banks, threatening thousands of local homes and businesses.

“The irony of the situation is that the Environment Agency identified the danger in the first place, but now they've put off the works that are needed to keep local people safe”.

Mr Penrose has written to the Environment Agency demanding to know why they are faltering on the scheme, and what measures they are taking to protect his constituents. The letter has been co-signed by Woodspring MP Liam Fox whose constituency also borders the Congresbury Yeo.

Mr Penrose is also contacting local residents to make them aware of the danger that they face and the actions he is taking.