Delivering on Promises to Tackle Flooding

After flooding affected areas across Milton Keynes over Christmas 2020, the Liberal Democrats committed to do what they can to reduce the risk of residents being flooded in the future, and we are delivering on those promises.

As climate change continues the risk of flooding will continue to increase over time unless we take actions to try to protect current homes and future homes across MK. The Liberal Democrats are serious in the commitment that infrastructure must be built before homes go in, and that infrastructure must include more future 'blue' infrastructure like balancing lakes, just as those who planned Milton Keynes included Willen Lake, Caldecotte lake and other proactive defenses for the future city.

We can't just focus on the long term future however, as shown by recent flooding we must also do more now with what we currently have. Our councillors thought about ways we can help protect residents and their homes now.

Since the flooding in December our councillors have:

• Succeeded in winning a budget amendment for £15,000 to help train and equip a network of volunteer flood wardens across MK, who would have the knowledge and equipment to take local action to protect streets, as well as contacts to raise awareness quickly
• Spoken to a range of agencies responsible for rivers and lakes across Milton Keynes like Anglian Water, the Environment Agency and IDB to ensure they respond quickly when there is heavy rain or a quickly rising river, as (for example) opening the intake into a balancing lake quickly might be the difference between homes being flooded or not (see video of Cllr McPake asking about this at council)
• Been pursuing the dredging of rivers where it is necessary to help protect homes, as Conservative Central Government cuts have resulted in agencies reducing the frequency of dredging
• Successfully made changes to the Strategic MK 2050 plan for how MK will develop to ensure there are references to future balancing lakes and other strategic defenses to protect homes, as part of the agreement with government about infrastructure necessary before building takes place, necessary as developers will often resist contributing to major infrastructure when submitting permission to build new developments

These achievements show that the Liberal Democrats are working hard for residents of MK, on large issues affecting the whole city, and looking after the interests and needs of residents locally. The best future for Milton Keynes will be delivered by having more Liberal Democrat councillors.

If you're interested in community flood groups or becoming a flood warden, please contact Cllr Jane Carr at Jane.Carr@milton-keynes.gov.uk