Floods And Flood Defence

EDM number 1605 in 2001-02, proposed by Malcolm Bruce on 10/07/2002.

That this House notes the findings of research released by the Environment Agency which show that around five million people, in two million properties, live in flood risk areas in England and Wales; notes how 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 level rise due to climate change; highlights how the autumn of 2000 saw the most extensive floods in England and Wales for over 50 years, with approximately 10,000 properties flooded and the cost of damage around one billion pounds; notes how the end of the year will see the end of an insurance amnesty which could mean tens of thousands of homes and businesses find their property is no longer insurable; calls on the Government to provide the resources needed to tackle the problem in a more strategic and holistic approach to water management and supply by establishing a National Flood Task Force to prevent even more devastating damage than experienced in 2000, creating a single body with the power, responsibility and resources required to deliver a strategic long-term approach to flood defence; strengthen existing legislation concerning developments on floodplains; and promote small soft solutions, such as ensuring that all new developments incorporate sustainable urban drainage.

This motion has been signed by a total of 29 MPs.