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Richmond upon Thames Liberal Democrats:Covering the constituencies of Twickenham and Richmond Park |
Kramer quizzes Benn on the Flood and Water Management Bill
December 21, 2009 6:32 PM
New flats at Charter Quay, Kingston built in an area designated by the Environment Agency as at risk of flooding from the Thames.
• [Dec 15] Susan Kramer: WILL the Bill, in its somewhat reduced form, still enable water companies to take the lead on enforcement against illegal connections? Problems in my area are often caused by an illegal connection of clean water to the foul water sewerage system, or vice versa.
Hilary Benn (Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs; Leeds Central, Labour): No, it will not, because we have had to shorten the Bill so that we can get the most important things through. Part 1 of the Bill also recognises the important role of district councils and internal drainage boards. They will retain their works powers in relation to ordinary watercourses. Part 1 will also place duties on the flood risk management authorities to contribute to sustainable development when managing flood and coastal erosion risk, and regional flood defence committees will have their remit extended to coastal erosion. Schedule 1 to the Bill will give new powers to local authorities, the Environment Agency and internal drainage boards in England and Wales to protect physical features that they do not own, but which can play an important role in flood protection or in avoiding coastal erosion.
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