As residents know, a number of Elmbridge communities face considerable flood risk. This is because of the proximity of places like Walton and Molesey to the River Thames and River Mole, where heavy rain can cause water levels to rise rapidly. It’s important to have effective measures in place to safeguard against this risk, and two consultations are currently looking at how to improve the protections that we have in Elmbridge.
First, the Environment Agency (EA) is seeking local views on options for updating the Lower Mole flood alleviation scheme. This important infrastructure protects around 3,000 homes and businesses from flooding. The scheme was completed in the 1980s and needs to be refurbished to maintain its standard of flood protection. The EA has set up a dedicated website, here, where residents can access information about the various options for updating the scheme, express their views through an interactive map, and ask questions. The website will be live until 24 March.
Second, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is consulting on changes to the Flood Re scheme. This scheme, which covers over 1,300 properties in Esher and Walton, aims to ensure that people in areas of flood risk can get adequate insurance at reasonable prices. The proposed changes include offering discounted premiums to households which have fitted flood resilience measures. I would encourage affected residents to feed in your views via the online survey, available here until 26 April.
(Pictured above – at the river with Surrey Councillor Peter Szanto, before Coronavirus)