Bill to beef up flood response powers

The Environment Agency is to get a new strategic overview role for all forms of flooding in the UK.

Currently the Agency only has an overview role for costal flooding and inland river flooding.

But under new proposals announced on Tuesday this role will be extended to create a more coordinated effort in an emergency situation.

The proposed Floods and Water Bill will ensure that better preparations are in place to deal with surface water flooding.

Environment minister Phil Woolas told a water conference in London on Tuesday that local authorities will also have responsibility for surface water flooding in their own communities.

But the Environment Agency will have overarching responsibility to support the councils on a local level.

Action was being taken "to ensure the country is better prepared to deal with flooding" Woolas said.

"This new role for the Environment Agency will ensure a more co-ordinated response to future floods.

"Local authorities have a vital role to play and under the agency's overview, they will be supported to take the lead on the ground."

The changes are designed to help local authorities respond faster and more effectively to future flooding.

Woolas also proposed to tighten reservoir safety through the Bill, and introduce strict inspections of reservoirs on a regular basis.

The Bill comes in response to last summer's flooding across England and Sir Michael Pitt's report on the lessons to be learned.

The draft bill, which was announced in the draft legislative programme last month, is set to be put out to consultation next spring.