KEETCH WARNS FLOOD CAMPAIGNERS ABOUT RISKS OF DESIGN CHANGE

12.19.44pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 23rd May 2006

An artist impression of what the new flood wall will look like on path adjacent to the River Wye

Vital flood protection is at risk of being shelved unless Hereford Flood Group and local residents move quickly to accept proposed defences. Liberal Democrat MP, Paul Keetch, issued a strong warning in the light of demands from campaigners for costly changes to the project.

He waded into the dispute raging between the Environment Agency and residents who want a rethink on the planned design.

"If the local flood group doesn't stop pushing the Environment Agency for more changes, we could see the Agency pulling out of the project and city losing the scheme altogether " said Mr Keetch.

"Changes being sought would be too costly and result in delays - possibly for years - during which time Hereford could face devastating flooding."

Mr Keetch says residents, backed by the National Flood Forum - a support group for campaigners - have already gained a significant compromise. The agency has now agreed to reduce the height of the walls to 1.1 metres on the Wye Villas side of the riverbank. The remaining height needed is made up by topping the walls with "demountable defences" raised only at times of high risk.

"I have spoken to some officers from the Environment Agency and there is some amazement about what could be seen as outright opposition to the plans. This story made the headlines in the EA internal newsletter last Friday" said Mr Keetch.

"I am very worried that Hereford may lose the essential flood defence scheme, which will save the city from further flooding problem unless the community listen to the Environment Agency and work together to arrive at a compromise which will not only protect homes, business and the roads from the misery of flooding but also allow the beauty of Hereford City to still be enjoyed by all.

"We should remember the chaos that is caused when the City floods. Those who are now raising doubts are not paying for the scheme and are not flood defence experts.

"The extra cost incurred in a more expensive scheme and any re-design may well lead to delays of several years in construction, during which time the city may well flood many more times. It has taken years for us to get the flood defences monies on the table - should we seriously risk losing it at this stage? The Government could conclude that the money should be invested elsewhere and we should remember that the ASDA money as a contribution to the scheme is also time limited. The town of Pickering in North Yorkshire lost a flood defence scheme under similar circumstances.

"This reminds me of the by-pass debate in the 1990's before I was the MP when a public enquiry was held about a proposed bypass route. Rather than campaign for a bypass and let the experts plan the route, the local community split on whether the road should go east of the city or west. As a result the Government, who after all were paying for the road, decided to invest the cash elsewhere and Hereford has had traffic gridlock ever since.

"Let's not make the same mistake over floods. There are cities and towns desperate for a scheme who would love the money that the Government wants to invest here. Flood risks can only get worse with climate change and global warming. Our sons and daughters will not thank us if we lose this chance for a flood defence scheme in Hereford".