'Foul-up' claim on flood rescue

The rescue of more than 100 residents from two flooded Staffordshire villages was today criticised as a "foul-up by planners" over the time taken to respond to the threat.

Tories have called for an investigation into the flooding in Fazeley and Elford, near Lichfield, after heavy rain led to almost 100 families being evacuated from homes on Saturday.

But the leader of the rescue operation rejected claims that they had failed to respond fast enough, claiming everyone worked round the clock to tackle the "major incident".

Christopher Pincher, Tory parliamentary spokesman for Fazeley, Hopwas and Elford, said there was "remarkable" community spirit but some searching questions needed answers.

"Communication and control amongst the authorities seemed to be virtually non-existent," he said.

"Local councillors and residents worked together to stem the waters but regional government emergency planning failed utterly.

"More homes could have been helped had they been quicker and better organised." He will write to regional agencies to insist they investigate and ask why, the morning after, local officials were going around reportedly asking residents not to talk to the Press.

"It sounds to me as though they have a lot to hide. We were told that nothing could be done until an emergency actually happened. But that is slamming the stable door after the horse has bolted."

The Army was called to help in Fazeley and Elford and 40 soldiers from the Army Training Regiment at Whittington Barracks used 1,000 sandbags to build flood defences in Elford on Saturday afternoon and evening.

Lichfield District Council chief executive Nina Dawes, who led the rescue partnership, admitted the response could have been better, but praised everyone for their "phenomenal" effort.

"I can understand it can seem concerning as a resident but there were things going on in the background," she said.

"When we were aware this was going to be a major incident we set up a gold level control and we had the command structure in place by late morning."

A meeting will look at ways to improve responses. Ms Dawes said there were lessons to be learned but authorities reacted as fast as they could and were all working together.