Liz reiterates fears over flooding following report

10.01.21am UTC (GMT +0000) Thu 20th Mar 2008

Liz says adequate control centres are vital

Liz Leffman, Prospective Liberal Democrat MP for Meon Valley, has reiterated her fears of future flooding for residents in vulnerable areas of the constituency following the publication of Sir Ken Knight's report into the handling of last summer's floods.

Liz said: "It was clear from last summer's floods that major incidents require adequate control centres, but Government plans to condense 46 fire and rescue centres to just 9 regional command centres could spell disaster for parts of Meon Valley at risk from flooding.

"Cutting the number of centres will make the fire service less responsive, stretched and inflexible to the dangers we all face.

"I really fear for residents in villages at risk of flooding such as Curbridge, Corhampton, Southwick, Denmead and many others - these places could all be in danger due to the Government's lack of proficiency in this subject."

The Liberal Democrat Autumn Conference backed measures to substantially increase funding on flood defences and give the Environment Agency strategic control of Britain's whole flood management system.

Other measures include plans to limit building on flood risk areas and ensure that infrastructure for new developments is able to cope with increased flooding in the future.