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Public Meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency
Wednesday 23rd July 2008
Mr Philip Winn and Mr Andrew Bennett, from the Environment Agency, addressed 26 members of the public, 4 Parish Councillors and 2 North Lincolnshire councillors at the meeting held in the village hall. Councillor Jackie Bateman welcomed the gentlemen and introduced them to the meeting.
Philip explained that they were working on issues around flooding in the areas bordering the Humber, i.e. the Tidal Flood Risk. The last major tidal flooding was in 1953 and after this the flood defences were improved but now they are not high enough and are in poor condition. There are concerns about global warming and the rise in sea levels so plans are in hand for changes. (In 100 years hence the rise will be approx. 1 metre).
This area will be affected by the rise and there are concerns as due to economic reasons it looks unlikely that the defences in the Winteringham/Whitton area will be raised. Further studies will be done on the levels of properties but it is the low lying properties which are in danger. (Letters to be sent out to certain householders in Winteringham in the w/c 4th August). This survey will give a much better basis on which to make an assessment. Inspections of the defences will also be carried out.
A question and answer session then followed. The responses clearly indicated that it would not be considered economically viable to improve the flood defences between Winteringham and Whitton. The Environment Agency is doing its best to defend this area and new information will be used to carry out the best work possible but as sea levels rise it will not be economically possible to raise the levels of the defences enough to save flooding. Unfortunately the spending must be prioritised. At the present time this area is quite well defended.
The Insurance Industry makes it’s own judgements but it is worth checking if your house is classed as being on a flood plain. The feeling was that prices of houses on the lower levels of the villages will plummet. The Insurance Industry needs to know that the Environment Agency does have plans to protect these properties.
The Environment Agency is there to help and will provide assistance and advice. Copies of information leaflets will be sent to the Parish Council for distribution.
It was decided that another meeting would be held in September/October 2008.
Councillor Bateman closed the meeting by thanking Mr Philip Winn and and Mr Andrew Bennett for attending the meeting and answering the questions posed.
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