Government Cuts to Flood Defences a Threat to Shepway (Shepway Liberal Democrats)

Government Cuts to Flood Defences a Threat to Shepway

November 14, 2006 2:58 PM

Flood Shepway Liberal Democrats have welcomed the launch of a national Lib Dem campaign against Defra's flood defence cuts, ahead of the launch of the Environment Agency's Flood Warning Campaign.

The website has an online petition and comments page to compile a detailed picture of the impact of the cuts, first uncovered by the Liberal Democrats in August.

A leaked email from Defra, unveiled by the Liberal Democrats in August, revealed that they plan to axe another £15 million from flood defence management from this year's budget. This has subsequently been confirmed by Ministers in response to Liberal Democrat parliamentary questions.

Shepway Lib Dem Chair Tim Prater said:

"Good flood defences are clearly critical to Shepway, with a huge expanse of coastline and a real potential for massive flooding if defences are breached. Global warming and rising sea levels pose a real threat to Shepway - and Government cuts to flood defence management to as well."

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP said:

"Despite the Environment Agency's best efforts to protect us against flooding, the Government has already pulled the rug from under their feet.

"While the Prime Minister is admitting that global warming is the key threat to our civilisation, his Environment Secretary is cutting the flood defences that will protect us against some of its effects.

"This is an incredibly foolish false economy when we know that storms are becoming more extreme and flood risk is increasing."

Shepway Liberal Democrats