Calls For Urgent Talks After Flooding

There are calls for urgent talks after serious flooding across the Harborough District yesterday.

Great Glen and Broughton Astley were the worst affected areas, with several homes and businesses flooded and some residents forced to leave their homes.

Harborough MP Neil O’Brien is demanding a meeting with Leicestershire County Council – the lead flood authority – and the Environment Agency, saying ‘immediate action’ needs to be taken to prevent a repeat of what happened.

He spoke to HFM:

Harborough District Council leader Phil Knowles is also calling for a meeting with the agencies responsible for flood prevention, adding his thoughts are with all those impacted.

He said: “We will be calling for a partner meeting as a matter of urgency to understand what lessons can be learnt.

“We also need to explore in detail the utilisation of available investment funds by partners that might play a significant part in this for the future.

“I would suggest that members of parliament be invited to attend so that any available national investment can also be investigated.

“I’m quite happy that Harborough District Council host and facilitate the meeting as long as we can get all parties together as quickly as is possible.”

Cllr Rani Mahal is the ward member for Great Glen and has backed the calls for talks:

The Environment Agency says its officers would be ‘very happy’ to meet all parties involved and a full review is carried out after such wide-scale flooding incidents

A spokesperson said: “We understand the distress that flooding causes and we sympathise with all those affected.

“We are currently responding to a large-scale flooding incident and our staff are working a rota system 24/7 to protect people from flooding.

“As we move into the recovery phase we will work closely with partners to understand the sources of flooding from this event and how we can best support communities going forwards.

“We are urging people to make sure they are signed up for flood warnings and alerts.”

Cllr Ozzy O’Shea, cabinet member of highways and transport at Leicestershire County Council said: “We sympathise with anyone who has suffered damage to their property during the most recent flooding.

“A significant amount of rainfall fell last night and with already saturated ground this has led to unprecedented flooding across the county, with the issue being worsened by the effects of climate change as we see more frequent flood events.

“Whilst we are not responsible for, or able to preventing flooding, we are working hard with partner agencies on their investigations so we can coordinate responses and take action where we can.

“Flooding can happen at any time of year and we urge residents to be prepared for any flood incidents that may occur.”