Anne McIntosh

Conservative Party | Vale of York

McIntosh expresses concern at number of properties at risk from flooding

19 June 2009

Miss Anne McIntosh, MP for the Vale of York. Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Thirsk and Malton and Shadow Environment Minister has expressed her concern at figures released today showing the number of properties at risk from flooding.

Miss McIntosh said "I am alarmed to see that 2.4 million properties are at risk from flooding and that in the Yorkshire and Humber region over 350,000 properties are at risk from flooding. I have today written to Stephen Had drill, Director General of the ABI to ask for his reaction to the huge projected increase in properties at risk from flooding to 2.4m, with 500,000 at significant risk."

"I have also written to the Secretary of State for the Environment Food and Rural affairs, the Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, challenging him on the basis of these figures and the reasons for the delay in the projections being announced. I have also contacted Craig McGreevy, Yorkshire Area Manager at the Environment Agency Leeds, regarding the number of properties affected in the Yorkshire and Humber region and the projected budget required to protect them."

"The 2007 Floods had a dramatic effect on electricity substations, water and sewage treatment works, as well as the road and rail network. Therefore there is a real need to maintain power and water supplies and protect essential services during a flood emergency. We need assurances from the Government that they see the importance of critical infrastructure resilience and act accordingly thereby meeting the recommendations of Sir Michel's Pitt's report to maintain and protect critical infrastructure."

"Conservatives will be looking critically at the Environment Agency's investment scenarios, also published today, to see which the most affordable and best value for money, while protecting the most number of homes."

"I have severe reservations over this country's preparedness for and protection from a future flood; highlighting the Government's clear dithering and delay on the issue and recent climate protection published by the Government have confirmed increase sea level raises and heavy rainfall and so flooding in the future. I therefore welcome the opportunity to debate these issues."