FLOODS AND FLOOD DEFENCE

Early day motion 16, tabled 17 May 2005 by Bill Wiggin (Conservative). Signed by 78 members.

That this House notes the findings of the research by the Environment Agency which show that around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales; warns that the risk of both inland and coastal flooding in these areas will increase as a result of increases in the frequency of extreme weather events and sea levels rising due to climate change which could increase the number of properties at risk from flooding to 3.5 million; highlights the fact that claims for storm and flood damage in the UK have doubled to over £6 billion over the period 1998 to 2003; is concerned that more new developments are being situated in floodplains; and calls on the Government to take a more strategic and holistic approach to flood management and water supply by strengthening existing legislation concerning developments on flood plains, avoiding building new developments in high flood risk areas, ensuring that all new developments in at-risk areas incorporate measures to mitigate the impact of flooding and devolving power over flood defences as closely as possible to community level.

Signatures by party: Conservative 64, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour 3, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 1, UUP 1.