Category Archives: Flooding

Dom by the river in Molesey (before Coronavirus) with East Molesey and Esher councillor Peter Szanto

Update on review of flood insurance

Earlier this year, I posted about the government’s independent review of flood insurance, which was established after serious flooding in some areas of the country last winter.

While this review was to focus on the situation in Doncaster (which was particularly badly affected), it was also asked to look at any systemic issues in the provision of flood insurance. This is important in Elmbridge, given the proximity of communities like Walton and Molesey to the River Thames and the River Mole, and our previous experience of flooding.

The review has now been published, and makes 12 recommendations to help residents access sufficient insurance cover for flooding. For example, there is a call for Flood Re (the scheme that helps people in at-risk areas to access insurance at reasonable prices) to reduce the costs of its contents insurance premium for certain properties. The government is looking carefully at this, as well as the other recommendations made in the review.

This is not the only work going on in this area. Over the summer, the government also announced that it will consult on wider changes to the Flood Re scheme, as part of a broader long-term plan to tackle the risk of flooding. One of the possible changes, for example, could see homeowners who have fitted flood resilience measures offered discounted premiums.

The Flood Re scheme now covers over 1,300 properties in Esher and Walton, so these changes could make a real difference locally. I will be paying close attention to the progress of this work over the coming months.

Reviewing flood insurance

Following the serious flooding that affected some parts of the country over the winter, the government announced an independent review into flood insurance. Further details of this review have been published this week.

The review will look at why people did not have sufficient insurance cover – or had no insurance at all – during the floods in November last year. It will inform future policy to support the uptake and effectiveness of insurance in flood risk areas, like parts of Esher and Walton.

One part of this work will look at the availability and affordability of the flooding component of household insurance as a result of the creation of the “Flood Re” scheme.

As some residents will know, this scheme – set up in 2016 between the government and the insurance industry – aims to ensure that people in areas at risk of flooding can get adequate cover at reasonable prices.

The Flood Re scheme now covers 1,301 properties in Esher and Walton, so it is encouraging that this opportunity is being taken to see if any lessons can be learned from recent experience.

I will be paying close attention to the progress of the review and what it means for local residents.

Local Flood Defences Update

At the start of the year, the Environment Agency revealed proposals to update and enhance the Lower Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme, which protects local homes and businesses from flooding.

Since its inception in 1989, the Scheme has provided protection to low-lying areas in Molesey, Esher  and Hersham by controlling the flow of water via 3 ‘sluices’ – one in Esher and two in East Molesey. The sluices are specifically designed to manage flood flow, reduce the risk of erosion and maintain water levels, protecting over 3,000 local homes and businesses from flooding.

The Environment Agency is consulting on a number of proposals to refurbish the Scheme. These include options to refurbish or replace the sluices, renovate embankments and naturalise the river. Local residents affected by the Scheme can take part in the consultation, which will close on 13 February 2019, and find out more information about the proposals here. A final decision is expected in the Summer.

Local Update from the Environment Agency

Today, I met up with Julia Simpson, the Environment Agency’s Area Manager for the Thames Region. She updated me on a range of local issues.

First, she gave me a briefing on the forthcoming works at the Molesey Weirs to bolster our flood defences. Next, Julia briefed me on flood protection works which took place in Autumn 2017 on the River Mole. She also updated me on progress with building further flood defences along the River Thames in Elmbridge.

I then raised the issue of illegally moored boats in Molesey, which I know is a concern for many constituents. Julia briefed me on the operational action being taken and we discussed what can be done going forward to prevent abuse of the system and related anti-social behaviour in the area.

Finally, Julia and I had a general discussion about funding for the River Thames Scheme from central government and local authorities. The River Thames Scheme will reduce the flood risk between Datchet and Teddington, currently the largest area of undefended floodplain in England. You can read more about the Scheme here.

Friends of Hurst Park

On Friday, I visited Friends of Hurst Park, a local group of people who are campaigning to protect and preserve the Hurst Park Meadow area. I had a good chat with the group about their aim to guarantee green space status for Hurst Park. They are concerned about the potential risk of future developments on Hurst Park and the surrounding meadows and would like to keep the areas protected, not least due to flooding concerns and to ensure local wildlife and nature is protected.

My thanks go to Jill Sanders and her team for hosting me and engaging in a thoughtful and interesting conversation. You can read more about Friends of Hurst Park here.

Flood Defences

On Friday I met up with local Councillors for Molesey, Steve Bax and Peter Szanto. Amongst other things, we talked about flood defences in Esher and Walton. Flooding has been fresh in our minds recently, with the terrible floods in Cumbria and across the North across Christmas, which left thousands of homes and businesses damaged.

The government has made significant investment in flood defences, and in November, I met with Julia Simpson, the West Thames Area Manager for the Environment Agency, to discuss the major long-term regional project to prevent local flooding, the River Thames Scheme, which is underway. Due for completion in 2024, this scheme will add river channels upstream to help control river flow during floods, and increase the capacity of the weirs at Sunbury and Molesey, to help manage water levels during a flood.

In the meantime, the Environment Agency has offered surveys to those homes most as risk of flooding, to assess whether things like door barriers or air brick covers could make them more resistant to flooding. To date, 407 homes in Esher & Walton constituency have been identified as eligible for these property-level defences, with 69 homes having the products installed to date. From April, the new Flood Re scheme, a joint initiative between the insurance industry and the government, will be introduced to ensure households in flood risk areas continue to access affordable insurance cover. As a backbench MP, I pressed hard to help secure that scheme.

Recent events in the North of the country are a timely reminder that we can’t prevent unpredictable or severe weather. But, having discussed the local plans with all the relevant agencies, I am confident that Elmbridge is far better placed to cope with such extreme conditions.

Managing Flood Risk in Elmbridge

Today, I met with Julia Simpson and David Murphy, from the Environment Agency, to get an update on progress with the Lower River Thames Flood Scheme. The overarching strategy involves building flood river channels upstream, strengthening weir capacity at Sunbury and Molesey, improved property defences, enhanced coordination with local communities at neighbourhood level, and continuing availability of affordable flood risk home insurance through the Flood Re scheme.
The overall cost of the works is £302million, with the Chancellor announcing an extra £60million in December. We face a real challenge over the long-term in ensuring we manage flood risk as effectively as possible. Some of this involves long term investment – so the cash boost is welcome. But, it also means consistent enforcement of planning rules, effective coordination from street level through the different tiers of government, and making local communities aware of the risks and how to mitigate them. I am confident we can adapt to the future flood risks – but it will require a team effort.

Dealing with the Floods

This morning, I visited Elmbridge Borough Council’s (EBC) floods operations room at the civic centre in Esher. I heard from Rob Moran, the Chief Executive, and talked to officers on the challenges of making people aware of the changing flood risk, distributing sandbags, contacting the elderly and vulnerable and – where required – supporting temporary evacuation (with help from Surrey Fire and Rescue). Flooding levels in Elmbridge have started to come down, but may rise again temporarily, if we have heavy rain over the next 48 hours. The EBC team are doing a great job in difficult circumstances – as recognised by many residents.
John O’Reilly, the Leader of EBC, and I then visited a few of the worst hit areas in Thames Ditton and Walton/ Sunbury, guided by EBC officers. The immediate task is to protect homes and businesses at risk of water penetration, as much as possible, and ensure residents who have had enough can be temporarily evacuated. I was struck by the professionalism of the council team, and the stoicism of residents. 
The rising river levels and consequent flooding is the highest for at least a generation, and it is clear we are better protected than in the past. Still, as Elmbridge and Britain experience more extreme weather conditions, for the longer-term we will need to look again at further strengthening our local community resilience.
Sandbags being delivered in Thames Ditton …

… and the doughty residents of Thames Ditton island
deploy wading clothing and canoes to access their homes …

… while homes near Wheatleys Ait have been cut off by local flooding.

Flooding in Elmbridge

Elmbridge has been hit by the flooding caused by unprecedented weather conditions. Whilst damage has been done across the borough, properties near the River Thames – including Walton, Molesey and Thames Ditton – have been worst hit. Living in Thames Ditton, I have seen the rising river levels first-hand. I will be visiting some of the worst affected areas tomorrow.

It is difficult to give a precise number, but dozens of families have temporarily left their homes to avoid being either trapped and isolated, or inundated. There is a joint agency response, including by the Environment Agency (monitoring flood levels and issuing alerts), Elmbridge borough council (leafleting neighbourhoods at risk, calling the vulnerable, laying sandbags, setting up a relief centre in Walton) and the emergency services (especially Fire and Rescue) where evacuation is required.

For emergency contact details click here. The key numbers are:

  • Environment Agency flood helpline:  0845 988 1188
  • Elmbridge Borough Council helpline: 01372 474 474 (Out of hours service: 01372 466 114)

If you are affected and are struggling to get help, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with me.

More broadly, these floods will inevitably now spark a wider debate about priorities within UK environmental policy. As I argued back in 2012, here, I believe we need to recognise that climate change will make extreme weather events more likely, and put more of a focus into adaptation and resilience.

Local Fire & Rescue

On Friday, I was briefed by the team at Walton Fire Station, under Area Chief Eddie Roberts and Operations Group Manager Bob Weldon-Gamble. The team demonstrated and explained a range of scenarios that they are trained to deal with, including: water rescue (the depot has bespoke expertise and equipment for this type of rescue); a range of fire hazards; and extraction from cars.
As ever, I was thoroughly impressed with both the dedication and technical knowledge of our fire and rescue crews, as well as their ability to adjust their plans and operations to changing local demand. Obviously, there is an enormous emphasis on judgement when dealing with any particular emergency, but there is a very high level or training that goes into every foreseeable scenario. There is certainly a lot more to the profession than meets the eye, and I thoroughly appreciated them taking the time and trouble to talk me through some of the key aspects of the job. 
Briefing from the team at Walton Fire Station