Category Archives: Flood Defence

More than 1,000 English homes are flooded – because of Tory complacency?

Stormy weather: much of northern Europe has been battered by storms and heavy rainfall.

More than 1,000 homes in England have been flooded – and it could be argued that this is because the Conservative government doesn’t care about damage to your property.

According to the BBC, the flooding follows the arrival in the UK of Storm Henk, and a week of heavy rainfall.

At the time of writing there are more than 250 flood warnings and 275 flood alerts in place across England.

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UK prime minister “Rishi-Washy” Sunak defied reality by saying people should be reassured by the response to flooding in badly hit areas.

He said: “Hundreds of high volume pumps are in practice right now making a difference, and it is important that people follow the advice that has been given in local areas where there are flood warnings that have been given.”

He added: “The Environment Agency have people on the ground everywhere, and absolutely recognise the urgency of what is happening and they are responding appropriately and with all due haste.”

But he was criticised by the Liberal Democrats, who said he should be “meeting people affected by this annual carnage, then he might do something about it”.

“Annual carnage” just about sums it up. And the Liberal Democrats can’t complain because they did nothing about it when they were in a coalition government with the Tories.

This Site has been reporting on the more-or-less annual floods since 2012 (Vox Political was established in December 2011, so you can see that this is a regular problem that successive governments have done nothing to end).

It is government that is at fault, also – for allowing housing estates to be built on flood plains, in full knowledge that they will flood, filling homes with water and rendering residents’ belongings unusable, and for failing to install appropriate flood defences on rivers and other waterways.

The number of existing flood defences that are in disrepair has tripled since 2018. Who knows what the figure since 2012 might be?

This year there is the added issue of raw sewage that the government has allowed its privatised water companies to pump directly into rivers.

With high rainfall, these firms are unable to process drainwater properly and pumps much of it directly into the rivers, meaning more sewage is likely to have got into the environment and possibly – through flooding – into people’s homes.

Or am I mistaken about that?

Feargal Sharkey suggests I’m not:

The floods have affected cities, towns and villages across England. Take a look at some of the havoc that has been wreaked by Tory greed and incompetence:


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Sink, Britain, Sink: The Tories had six years to fix the UK’s flood defences and failed

Builth Wells: This mid-Powys town stood at a relatively high altitude – and under a considerable amount of water in February 2020.

The Environment Agency will have to resort to pumps and temporary flood barriers to ensure thousands of homes are protected this winter, it has been revealed.

According to the National Audit Office,

the Government awarded the Environment Agency £120m extra funding to repair [last year’s] damage, but the Agency will only complete 80 per cent of the work before the end of this year.

This means

one in five damaged flood defences will not be repaired in time for this winter’s stormy weather.

Oh, I know. There’s been a huge crisis to do with a pandemic disease called Covid-19 since the last floods, and it has been taking all the cash that’s available and slowing down maintenance work such as this.

That would be a good excuse.

But the simple fact is that successive Tory governments have had more than six years to stop our homes from flooding and they simply couldn’t be bothered.

To them, it’s a waste of money to take preventative action – even though the cost of fixing the damage is, cumulatively, far more.

I explained the problem in This Site, waaaaaaay back in 2014 [boldings mine, at time of writing this]:

This is a result of bad planning – by water and sewerage companies that have failed to implement successful drainage schemes or to divert floodwater from rivers in order to prevent overflow, and by planning authorities that have allowed housing to be built in the wrong place.

We live in a country where management of the water supply went into private hands several decades ago. When that happened, it became impossible to have any kind of integrated plan to deal with the supply of water, droughts, floods and storage. Water supply became a commodity to be bought and sold by rich people according to the golden rules of capitalism: Invest the minimum; charge the maximum.

So reservoirs have been sold off to foreign water companies, meaning we have no adequate response to droughts. None have been built, meaning we have no adequate response to floods. Concerns about river flooding have been neglected. There has not been the investment in extraction and storage of floodwater that repeated incidents over the last few years have demanded.

The government is reducing its budget for handling these issues. Not only that, but it is delaying implementation of a new policy on drainage.

In short, there is no joined-up thinking.

There will be no joined-up thinking in the future, either – unless the situation is changed radically.

Meanwhile, the cost racked up by the damage is huge – in ruined farmland, in ruined homes and possessions, and blighted lives. And what about the risk of disease that floodwater brings with it? The NHS in England is ill-equipped to deal with any outbreaks, being seriously weakened by the government-sponsored incursions of private, cheap-and-simple health firms.

Something has to give beneath the weight of all this floodwater. Change is vital – from commercial competition to co-operation and co-ordination.

Privatisation of water has failed. It’s time to bring it back under public control.

Is anyone opposed?

It turns out that a majority were not. Reversing the privatisation of water and restoring a joined-up policy is supported by most of the UK’s voting population, according to polls.

In 2012, it was said that 71 per cent of voters wanted renationalisation. By 2018 this had risen to 83 per cent.

But millions of people voted Conservative at the ballot box so water has remained in private hands and the government has refused to stump up the cash to pay for what has become an annual – and therefore predictable – disaster.

The Environment Agency reckons it has a strategy to “build up the resilience of millions more homes and businesses” in the coming years.

What happens if the Tories strip away the funding for it?

Source: Damaged flood defences won’t be repaired in time for this winter’s storms

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Leaked report warns of Covid-Brexit “horror show” – remember THIS IS WHAT BORIS JOHNSON WANTS

Two-fingered salute: the UK might fall into lawlessness and chaos because of Boris Johnson but he doesn’t care, as long as he gets what he wants.

A Cabinet Office “reasonable worst-case” report on the effects of a ‘no-deal’ Brexit combining with another wave of Covid-19 has laid out exactly what Boris Johnson wanted for the UK when he became PM.

Johnson, you’ll remember, did not want any trade deals with the European Union after the UK leaves that bloc.

It was widely believed that this is because the hedge fund managers who supported his bid to be Tory leader have bet heavily on the UK going into recession, with many big-name firms going out of business. The claim was that they could make £8 billion out of it.

Of course, none of these multi-billionaires care a fig about the rest of us. If the country falls into chaos they’ll be off to their holiday homes in the sun, with their cash safely stowed in a tax haven.

Meanwhile, back in Blighty, you will be left to deal with food, fuel and power shortages, illness and deaths caused by flood, flu and Covid-19, and incursions into the country from outside such as EU boats coming into our fishing waters.

And, as may reasonably be expected from his government’s failures so far on Covid-19 – the school reopening furore, school meals, exam results, care home deaths, PPE procurement, face mask procurement, test and trace, contract nepotism… the list goes on and on – on flooding (remember that?) and on any other subject you care to mention, the Johnson government has not planned any response to this at all.

The article goes on to state:

  • One in 20 Town Halls could go bust in a second Covid wave, sparking social care chaos.
  • The economic impact of the virus and Brexit could cause public disorder, shortages and price hikes.
  • Troops may have to be drafted on to the streets to help the police in the worst-case scenario — 1,500 are already on stand by.
  • Social distancing measures and masks will have to continue until 2021 regardless.
  • Supplies of food and fuel are all under threat this Christmas if Dover becomes blocked.

The planners warned that “pandemic influenza, severe flooding, a Covid second wave and an unruly exit from the EU transition period could cause a systemic economic crisis with major impact on ­disposable incomes, unemployment, business activity, international trade and market stability.”

It could be combined with likely “coordinated industrial action” as well as shortages risking public disorder and a mental health crisis that will hit the poorest hardest.

Nobody in a Tory government is going to worry about a mental health crisis that harms poor people, of course.

And the attitude by leading Tories to this frankly terrifying report seems to be that if they ignore it, it will go away.

Michael Gove is quoted as babbling: “We got Brexit done with a great deal in January.

“A brighter future awaits as we forge our own path.”

A government spokesperson did add that this was a “reasonable worst case” scenario.

But on the Johnson ministry’s record so far, it is stretching the facts to breaking point to suggest that the government is “ensuring we are ready for all eventualities”.

That simply is not going to happen. On the evidence of the last 12 months, it would be irresponsible to believe anything Johnson, his ministers or his spokespeople say about it.

But there’s one more matter to remember:

If this disaster happens, then there is absolutely nothing you can do about it, other than to prepare as well as you can (because the Tories simply won’t).

I anticipate another stockpiling splurge, worse than the rush for toilet roll in March, at the very least.

Obviously the worst-case will be social unrest and violence – and I’m not ruling that out, either.

Whatever happens, if we end up with no deal and any of the feared outcomes are triggered, you must remember (because he’ll lie about it):

It is what Boris Johnson wanted all along.

Source: Leaked document reveals Cabinet’s emergency plans for perfect storm of No Deal Brexit and coronavirus second wave

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Part-time PM Johnson booed as ‘traitor’ in flood-hit town after voting down thanks for emergency workers

The only job he’s good for: what a shame Boris Johnson was pictured mopping out flood-hit buildings in November, while he was after general election votes, and not in February, when he didn’t need them. He doesn’t care about your hardship.

What did he expect?

Boris Johnson went AWOL during the February floods, hiding away in a stately home while thousands of others saw their homes submerged – in stark contrast to his behaviour on the campaign trail last November, when he saw a chance to grab a few votes by pretending to care.

We know he doesn’t care, because he and his Tories voted down a motion of thanks for all the emergency workers, Environment Agency staff, council workers and volunteers who actually did turn up to help those affected by the severe weather.

That motion also included a call for an independent inquiry into the floods, looking at the level of funding for flood defences and an examination of lessons to be learned.

But rather than launch such a review, which is likely to be damaging to him and his government, Johnson’s new Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, has simply announced that he will double the amount of funding to be spent on flood defences over the next few years.

Johnson himself tried to fob off critics, saying that he had been “directing operations” and “working round the clock on various things”.

But to those who who called him a “traitor” during a long-delayed visit to flood-hit Bewdley on the banks of the River Severn, he admitted that any such interference would only get in the way.

He was referring to personal visits but what does he know about flood defence operations?

Nothing.

So any claim to be “directing operations” is nonsense.

Indeed, it seems Johnson has to be prompted by public embarrassment before he’ll agree to do anything.

His government has announced £500 council tax breaks for people affected by flooding, alongside other hardship relief measures – but this was only after one council – Derbyshire – accused him of hypocrisy after saying he would support local government and then turning his back.

So – again – it is impossible to believe a word Johnson says.

He hoped to ignore the millions of pounds worth of harm done to UK citizens while it was happening, and then lie that he had been working hard. The people who held him to account should be congratulated.

Source: ‘Traitor’: Boris Johnson is heckled as he visits town devastated by flooding | The Independent

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Flooding and coronavirus crises reveal Johnson’s ‘Jekyll and Hide’ behaviour

Johnson: the coronavirus is his top priority because it has caused a fall in the stock markets. Ask what he’ll do about the flooding that has damaged uncounted homes and he runs away and hides.

Boris Johnson seems to have a split personality when dealing with the major crises facing the UK at the moment.

But be assured I haven’t made a spelling mistake in the headline: while his attitude to the coronavirus may not qualify him to be a doctor – Jekyll or any other, his flight from responsibility over the floods certainly allows us to dub him Mr Hide.

And his attitude tells us everything you need to know about his priorities.

When the floods hit the homes of thousands of ordinary people across the UK, causing damage costing who-knows-how-much money, he never lifted a finger to help. Because your plight doesn’t count and you don’t matter.

But when the coronavirus triggered the worst week on the stock market since the financial crisis of 2007/8, suddenly he crops up, trumpeting that it is “the government’s top priority”. Because his financier friends’ fortunes are under threat. They matter more than you.

Do you think that’s any reasonable way for a prime minister to behave?

If you agree with me that it isn’t, you can at least take comfort for the fact that Johnson’s first official meeting about the coronavirus won’t take place until Monday. Because he’s still an incompetent halfwit.

Source: Boris Johnson calls emergency coronavirus meeting – for three days time | The Independent

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While Britain sinks, Boris Johnson hides

Builth Wells: This mid-Powys town stands at a relatively high altitude – and under a considerable amount of water. But the floods will be on their way into Herefordshire, where they’ll probably cause considerably more harm.

This Site has found two Tweets that clearly describe the state of the United Kingdom on February 18, 2020.

Here’s the first:

And the second:

It isn’t funny, though.

And where is Boris Johnson?

It seems the prime minister has taken a leave of absence from his duties.

Having had the option of visiting the scenes of flooding across the UK, we find that Mr Johnson has instead taken up residence at Chevening, a grace-and-favour 115-room lakeside mansion in Kent.

It is not known what work Johnson is doing, what with Parliament being in recess.

This Writer reckons he has his work cut out just trying to avoid the recriminations over the employment of Andrew Sabisky, and the fact the nobody is willing to deny that Johnson holds the same racist, sexist, eugenicist and Nazi views.

He could have called an emergency meeting to discuss how to deal with the floods.

But has hasn’t.

He did before the general election, when he needed our votes.

But he doesn’t need them now, so he’s doing nothing.

We do have a comment, though – not from him, nor from his official spokesman, but from his deputy official spokesman. That’s how heavily this matter is weighing on Johnson’s mind.

His deputy official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister will continue to receive updates on the ongoing flooding situation. For anyone affected, flooding is terrible.”

Is that so?

I’m sure we’re all glad the deputy official spokesman is there to tell us these things!

Of course, there’s a lot of talk that this is the result of global warming.

But Johnson isn’t allowed to speak of such things. One of his many bosses, Donald Trump, has apparently forbidden him from acknowledging it, on pain of forfeiting a trade deal that will be vital to Johnson’s I mean the UK’s prosperity in a post-Brexit world.

I wonder how prosperous the rest of us will be, with our fields and factories under water.

Oh, and let’s not forget that we wouldn’t all be in this mess…

If another Tory prime minister, David Cameron, hadn’t cut funding for flood defences nearly 10 years ago.

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As the UK braces for more flooding, watch this firefighter’s plea (VIDEO)

Riccardo: “The claim that Boris Johnson is a friend of workers is laughable.”

After a month of flooding in northern England, the UK is bracing itself for more severe weather, with Devon now facing flooding.

There are currently 77 flood alerts across England and Wales and nine severe flood warnings across England.

Firefighters like Riccardo have been run ragged, trying to cope with the scale of a disaster that could have been reduced if the Conservatives had not cut funding for flood defences.

Watch him explain why, for him and many in his profession, Labour is the only choice in the December 2019 general election:

If you are affected by the next wave of flooding – or were affected by the last – the choice Riccardo presents is clear.

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Johnson finally calls emergency meeting on flooding – after Corbyn tells him to

Mop-head: Next time, Boris Johnson should be the worker following the decision-makers with a mop – not a decision-maker himself.

At last we’re seeing some decisive action over the flood disaster that has hit northern England – because Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn demanded it.

Boris Johnson – our so-called prime minister – was not going to help at all. He said last weekend that the floods, which have already killed one person, were not a national emergency.

Then this happened:

And then this happened:

The ITV article states: “Downing Street’s announcement of the meeting, which will take place on Tuesday, came after Jeremy Corbyn sent a letter to Boris Johnson calling on him to hold a Cobra meeting and “take personal charge” of the Government’s response.

“The Labour leader said he disagreed with the Prime Minister’s assessment at the weekend that the flooding was “not looking like something we need to escalate to the level of a national emergency”.

“Mr Corbyn said that if the flooding had occurred in Surrey, rather than Yorkshire or the East Midlands, it would be “far more likely” that a national emergency would have been declared.”

Was Mr Johnson trying to stop himself losing ground to Mr Corbyn? If so, that’s just too bad:

What a wet letdown.

It’s a good thing we have Jeremy Corbyn to tell him what to do. Let’s vote Mr Corbyn into Downing Street so he doesn’t have to go through a proxy next time – we’ll get results a lot quicker.

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‘No flooding emergency in the North,’ says Johnson in epic campaigning blunder

“Much of Yorkshire and Derbyshire was deluged. And who turns up? Boris with a mop.” If he’d taken the “Free eye test” advertised next to him, he might have been able to recognise a national emergency. But it seems doubtful.

Boris Johnson may have thrown away the Conservative Party’s chances in the North of England after he said major flooding that has already killed one woman was “not a national emergency”.

Way to win over those Labour heartlands, BoJob!

Consider:

Boris Johnson has said major flooding across swathes of northern England is not a “national emergency”, during a visit to an affected area.

The prime minister made the comments in Matlock, Derbyshire, near where a woman died after being swept away after a river breached its banks.

Mr Johnson said the government had set aside billions for flood defences and preparations due to an increase in serious flooding “perhaps because of building, almost certainly because of climate change”.

“You’ve got to face the reality that places like this are vulnerable to flooding – we’re going to see more of it,” the prime minister said.

However, he said the recent bout of floods “is not looking like something we need to escalate to the level of a national emergency”.

At the time of his words, the Environment Agency had made no less than seven “danger to life” severe flood warnings along the River Don in Yorkshire.

According to The Independent, the North and the Midlands have all seen torrential rain and flooding over the past few days, with some areas seeing a month’s rainfall in just 24 hours.

“Around 35 home were evacuated in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, after a collapsed quarry triggered a mudslide. People were seen leaving their homes in boats in one Doncaster street.

“South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said it had rescued more than 100 stranded people on Thursday night.”

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has also been visiting the North.

He seems to have taken the matter more seriously: “This is what a climate and environment emergency looks like.

“Every year we don’t act means higher flood waters, more homes ruined and more lives at risk.

“Flooding isn’t a natural disaster – it’s human-made. Not only are the government’s plans to tackle the climate emergency weak, they’ve failed to prepare communities by investing in flood prevention and Tory cuts have stretched emergency services to breaking point.”

What a contrast.

Boris Johnson – still the prime minister, remember – says “places like this are vulnerable to flooding – we’re going to see more of it,” while Jeremy Corbyn points out that it was a Tory government that cut funding for flood prevention – as he said during a previous flooding crisis.

It is a subject on which he has much to say:

Here’s another question, posed by a commenter to This Site. They write: “I was wondering what happened to the army over the last couple of days. There’s supposedly thousands of troops on standby to prevent riots and looting if and when Brexit ever happens, but nowhere to be seen when sandbags needed to be distributed, river banks needed shoring up, people needed rescuing or evacuating, whilst much of Yorkshire and Derbyshire was deluged. And who turns up? Boris with a mop.”

Last word goes to Ash Sarkar on Twitter (apologies for the free use of language):

Have YOU donated to my crowdfunding appeal, raising funds to fight false libel claims by TV celebrities who should know better? These court cases cost a lot of money so every penny will help ensure that wealth doesn’t beat justice.

https://www.crowdjustice.com/case/mike-sivier-libel-fight/


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Years of Tory cuts led to the collapse of this Derbyshire dam

Skwawkbox has it right: The Toddbrook Reservoir dam only collapsed because Conservative governments of the past nine years have starved flood defence spending.

Click over to that blog for the details.

A Derbyshire town is undergoing emergency evacuation after parts of the wall of a nearby reservoir collapsed in floods.

Toddbrook Reservoir dam was damaged after heavy rains and police have told 6,500 Whaley Bridge residents to gather at a local school ready for evacuation after a severe flood warning was issued, meaning there is a threat to life:

The collapse comes after years of a Tory austerity programme that saw significant cuts to spending on flood defences in almost all parts of the country:

Source: Breaking; Derbyshire town evacuated as dam wall collapses in floods following years of Tory flood-defence cuts | The SKWAWKBOX