Last week in Parliament, Richard spoke in a debate called by fellow Bedfordshire MP, Blake Stephenson, on flooding in Bedfordshire. Richard's contribution can be watched here.
Speaking afterwards, Richard Fuller MP said:
We have already seen significant disruption this Autumn and with the awful conditions endured by many constituents last winter, I suggested that the North Bedfordshire Water Management Alliance, which has now been picked up by Bedford Borough Mayor, Tom Wootton is the best way to help residents with flood related issues, as well as offering preventative measures to minimise the impacts upfront. I suggested this approach could become a test case that could be rolled out to other areas.
I originally set up the Water Management Alliance specifically to bring together all of the relevant agencies and groups that either impact, or are impacted by the risk of flooding, and who too often operated in silos with insufficient communication and collaboration. I am delighted that Mayor Tom has taken this on board to champion and drive forward.
Speaking of the flooding of A421 last month, Richard added:
We are naturally all very happy that the A421 at Marston Moretaine has reopened following a significant length of closure due to the recent flooding. Whilst it is true that the rainfall that caused the problem was largely unprecedented, indeed Martin Fellows, the Regional Director for National Highways in the East of England described the flooding as a “one in a 100-year event”, there are nevertheless many questions that need to be answered as to why this happened and what mitigation can be put in place to minimise the chances of a recurrence in the future.
I will be following up with both Martin Fellows and Marcel Coiffart, Chief Executive of Central Beds Council to discuss:
- The dip in the road that allows water to congregate at the bottom and whether any remedial action is possible at this point.
- Why the pumps failed and where they should be relocated to so as to avoid them being submerged in the future.
- An assessment of whether the highway drainage channels are well maintained and up to the challenge of such heavy rainfall.
- An overview of the surrounding land and water courses and whether blockages or a build up of debris contributed to the flooding on the A421.
- Details of where excess water is able to be pumped to, and how capacity can be increased to deal with such events in the future.
