Repeat floods - warning

The Government must invest in flood defences quickly or risk a repeat of the devastation caused in the summer, council leaders warned.
Although the Prime Minister has promised to increase funding for flood prevention across Britain from £600 million to £800 million, this money will not be available until 2010/11.
Hull City Council leaders have now backed the Local Government Association (LGA) in warning that a three-year delay in this investment could lead to a repeat of this summer's floods, and consequently higher costs for the taxpayer.
Leader of Hull City Council Carl Minns said: "It's absolutely essential that flood prevention measures are put in place quickly. To wait three years would be totally unacceptable.
"To suffer repeat flooding on a similar scale would have a devastating impact on local people not to mention on the council's resources."
The LGA, in its official submission to the Pitt Review, a national enquiry set up to examine the flooding, is recommending:

• Investment in better flood defences
• Clearer roles and responsibilities for drainage and additional investment in our drainage system
• Encouragement and incentives for householders to take flood precautions
• Stronger requirements for utilities to safeguard essential infrastructure
• Tighter planning controls for construction on flood plains or near watercourses
• Buildings that are better adapted to resist extreme weather

Meanwhile, the cost to the insurance industry of this summer's floods is estimated at £3 billion.
The Association of British Insurers has warned the industry will be unable to provide cover without substantial investment to reduce the risk of flooding.
For more on floods see pages 12 and 13.