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Public Meeting with representatives of the Environment Agency
Thursday 26th February 2009
Mr Philip Winn and Mr Andrew Barron, from the Environment Agency, addressed 36 members of the public (including three Parish Councillors). Councillor Kay Ashberry welcomed the gentlemen and introduced them to the meeting.
Mr Andrew Barron gave a slide show presentation entitled “Managing the Tidal Flood risk around Winteringham”. He explained about the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy and the assessment of the flood defences.
There are defences which due to economic reasons may not be improved and these include those on the banks of the Humber in an area which would affect Winteringham & Whitton. At the present time these defences are in good conditions and at a reasonable height but if the level of water in the Humber rises then the banks would not cope.
At the predicted level of rise then it is expected that the flood banks would cope for approx. 100 years but if there were to be any high flood tides then the banks could be breached at any time. Global Warming may bring more stormy weather which would result in more surges of the water.
There is funding to fill in any low points and where weakness are identified these will (if possible) be repaired. The Environment Agency does not expect the funding to be available to protect the area in the distant future but hopefully at the present rate of sea level rise there will not be a problem within the next 100 years.
It is the Environment Agency’s intention to provide protection for as long as possible.
There are areas identified and plans in hand for more areas like the Alkborough Flats, i.e. designated areas where the flood water can flow over into.
The properties at risk have been identified and letters sent out to the householders by the Environment Agency. Where the standard of protection is better than 1 in 75 then it should still be possible to get Insurance Cover.
The letter sent out by the Agency had caused great concern and Mr Winn promised that another letter would be sent out which hopefully would clarify the situation. The Environment Agency has tried to give the best information that it can but it can not be held responsible for the way that the Insurance Companies choose to interpret this information.
If a householder is having difficulty in getting cover for their buildings then they can contact the Environment Agency who will contact the Insurance Company on their behalf.
In the future the Environment Agency will most probably be responsible for all drains and waterways.
The Environment Agency does give advice to local government on whether Planning Permission should be granted for developments on flood plains but unfortunately this advice is not always followed.
Councillor Ashberry thanked Mr Winn and Mr Barron for their attendance at this meeting.
The Clerk to Whitton Parish Council was present and she said that there is a meeting with the Environment Agency in the Village Hall at Whitton at 7pm on Tuesday 3rd March - everyone is invited to attend.
The residents of Whitton are talking about forming a group to look into flooding issues and they would welcome input from neighbouring villages.
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