NEW REPORT HIGHLIGHTS NEEDS FOR FLOOD DEFENCES

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Apr 2004

Paul Keetch MP supporting the campaign for flood defences in Hereford

A Government study into the issue of flooding has suggested that increased funding for flood defences and better planning is necessary to help reduce the potential cost of flooding to the UK.

The report was released today (22nd April) by the Foresight Flood and Coastal Defence Project and, according to local Lib Dem MP Paul Keetch, adds further weight to the case for new flood defences for Hereford.

"This Government commissioned report says what the people of Herefordshire have known for a long time," Mr Keetch said. "The Government needs to invest in flood defences, and I believe that Hereford should be top of their list."

The MP has contacted Floods Minister Elliot Morley on numerous occasions with regard to the issue, including taking a local campaign group to meet the Minister last December.

"I know that the Government is committed to the idea of flood defences for Hereford," the MP said. "And now this Government report is highlighting that need. I will be writing to the Minister again to try and ensure that Hereford remains top of his agenda.

"Of course we need to make sure that the proposals in place would actually work, but the chaos of recent years has shown that we need to do something to try and save people's homes. I will certainly keep the pressure up on the Government, but I hope that the Tory-led local council doesn't jeopardise the situation by getting into a spat with the Government about council tax.

"Flood defences are something that Hereford needs very badly, I am committed to trying to get them and hopefully this report will help convince the Government of that urgent need as well."