Lib Dems Demand Focus On Flooding

MK Lib Dems brought the issue of flooding front and centre at last night's Full Council meeting.

Some towns and villages in Milton Keynessuffered severe flooding last month, and the Liberal Democrat Group on the Council is demanding answers and pushing for solutions.

Councillors Jane Carr and Vanessa McPake pushed Cabinet to investigate two crucial issues: what pressure is being put on the Environment Agency to prioritise river management, and the opening of gates to balancing lakes, which are crucial in holding flood waters.

Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Douglas McCall warned the Council that this issue is not going to go away, but will only worsen with climate change.

Councillor McCall emphasised that the Strategy for 2050, which sets the way for the city's future, must include references to balancing lakes, river maintenance and assessments of old drainage networks.

"The floods late last year felt different, and we need to know why." says Councillor McPake, Liberal Democrat Environment Spokesperson. "The Council, Environment Agency and every other responsible body need to sit down together to figure out why this happened, and how such a severe flood can hopefully be prevented in the future."

"During the Christmas floods I saw a street flood in less than an hour." says Councillor Carr. "That is why community groups are so crucial. They are first on the scene; they deserve advice and resources that can help them help their community. I will be fighting for this on the Council."