Stafford MP calls for flood control centre to ease town 'fear'
A new 24-hour flood control centre in Staffordshire will stop people from "living in fear" of extreme weather conditions, an MP has said.
Theo Clarke said the centre in Stafford would allow residents to report flooding issues by dialling an emergency three-digit number.
It was one of a series of flood prevention measures put forward by the Conservative MP for Stafford during a Westminster Hall debate.
She also pressed for a lead agency to be given responsibility for dealing with flooding, and demanded Government cash for long-term projects to prevent people's homes and businesses being damaged by floodwater.
Ms Clarke said: "For too long the people of Staffordshire have had to deal with the devastating effects of flooding.
"I am calling for the establishment of a flood control centre in Stafford that residents can call directly, which will provide 24/7 assistance for my constituents affected by flooding.
"The Government must designate one lead authority to have statutory responsibility for flooding, to ensure flooding is handled effectively in Staffordshire."
Numerous
Ms Clarke said flooding was a county-wide problem and added: "I urge the Government make these changes as soon as possible, so that the people of Staffordshire no longer live in fear of flooding."
Parts of the county regularly suffer flood damage, with Stafford town centre one of the worst hit areas.
In Sandon Road residents’ homes and local businesses have been flooded on numerous occasions, while Greengate Street and Eastgate Street have also been hit.
In July Ms Clarke attended a virtual meeting chaired by county and borough councillor Jonathan Price, to discuss the impact of flooding in the town.
One scheme proposed by the Environment Agency to reduce flooding by lowering the bed at Corporation Street is estimated to cost £1.8 million.
Minutes from the meeting stated: "Stopping flooding all together is not a realistic and reasonable expectation, at least in the short term."
