Britain's storms and flooding

Mercury RV · 14th February 2020, 22:51

There may well be someone who is with the Environment Agency and can provide us with a good reason behind this. I noticed on the news tonight that the poor people of Hebden Bridge are STILL waiting for the flood defences to be either finished or even started in some cases. Please someone explain to me why we no longer dredge the rivers/canals? The surely simple answer to flooding is to dredge the watercourses as we used to, the spoil can be used for other projects, by deepening the channels this will increase the volume the river can handle. I am aware when I was at a marina years ago, the Environment Agency stopped us dredging and stated it was not good for the environment, so does this mean that flooding is perhaps? Is it me or is dredging, quicker and more cost-effective, think of the poor people suffering in this!

coolguy · 15th February 2020, 07:20

Whilst agreeing that dredging should re-commence, we should also stop building on flood plains, and paving over front gardens - the water has to go somewhere!

macafee2 · 15th February 2020, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguy

Whilst agreeing that dredging should re-commence, we should also stop building on flood plains, and paving over front gardens - the water has to go somewhere!

some areas you are not allowed to pave gardens for that very reason.

When my caravan port was built i was not allowed during construction to run a gutter from the caravan port into a ditch that feeds a river, in case it causes flooding down stream.

macafee2

wraymond · 15th February 2020, 13:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by coolguy

Whilst agreeing that dredging should re-commence, we should also stop building on flood plains, and paving over front gardens - the water has to go somewhere!

The practice of building on flood plains will not stop until applications for development are refused. At the moment the price of building land in 'safe' areas is at a premium and flood plains are valued significantly lower.

The sticking-plaster of a percentage of development having to be "affordable" is rubbish* and frequently ignored by local council planning officers. Flood plains should be reclassified as nature reserves and get the same protection as protected species wild life areas.

Controversially, I'm not in favour of sector-wide rent controls because it distorts the market and leads to sub-standard housing. Better a free market than grossly inadequate living conditions. The ease with which new inexperienced landlords can prosper at the expense of disadvantaged tenants is wrong.

* many new houses are now being sold on leases rather than freehold and in so doing can be a guaranteed source of rising windfall profits, as well as the inflation of property prices, for the freeholders.

RPWC · 17th February 2020, 07:23

Let’s all start a dredging the rivers campaign by blocking airports and encouraging our children to strike from school.

On a serious note, I agree that dredging needs to be re introduced.

Nick Greg · 17th February 2020, 07:49

Living not far from Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd I have seen the painfully slow progress of the flood defence works taking place. It is mind numbingly slow. I just don't get why it takes so darned long. Maybe we should invite the Chinese to do it for us. After all they can build HS2 in 5 years and under budget. Meanwhile the local council continues to grant planning permission for development on flood plains.

wraymond · 17th February 2020, 08:23

My first venture into the housing market was in 1970. From that day on I have always considered height above sea level as being more important than price. We are now in house 10, our final one (!). This one is the highest yet at 99 feet a-s-l. The last thing I will ever need to do is buy a canoe.

There is a very good reason why flood plain land is cheaper, the 'market' rules with the compliance of planning departments. It is also unnecessary, there are thousands of dilapidated brownfield sites in every area in the country which could be cleaned up and developed without destruction of natural habitat. Think of all the new villages to be created in presently out-of-town areas - what a lovely prospect. An end to huge soulless estates producing crime and drug dealing. Utopia.

macafee2 · 15th February 2020, 07:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercury RV

There may well be someone who is with the Environment Agency and can provide us with a good reason behind this. I noticed on the news tonight that the poor people of Hebden Bridge are STILL waiting for the flood defences to be either finished or even started in some cases. Please someone explain to me why we no longer dredge the rivers/canals? The surely simple answer to flooding is to dredge the watercourses as we used to, the spoil can be used for other projects, by deepening the channels this will increase the volume the river can handle. I am aware when I was at a marina years ago, the Environment Agency stopped us dredging and stated it was not good for the environment, so does this mean that flooding is perhaps? Is it me or is dredging, quicker and more cost-effective, think of the poor people suffering in this!

https://www.theguardian.com/commenti...ameron-farmers

macafee2

AndyN01 · 15th February 2020, 08:50

I've now lost the plot

We "know" that there is more flooding. A local river has burst its banks half a dozen times in the last few months. In previous years it might have been once a year.

Our population is growing so many, many more houses are being built. Near to us on the fields that drain into said river. So, fields that used to "soak up" some of the rain are now covered in housing.

The water now "floods" into the river that's already way up rather than "draining" into it over a longer period of time very quickly worsening the issues downstream.

Also, apparently, we need to plant some astronomical number of trees to counteract climate change. I'm not sure where these are supposed to be planted as the land they might have gone on is now covered in houses......

Maybe I just don't understand all the clever stuff/people that make/allow the decisions.

Andy.

macafee2 · 15th February 2020, 09:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyN01

I've now lost the plot

We "know" that there is more flooding. A local river has burst its banks half a dozen times in the last few months. In previous years it might have been once a year.

Our population is growing so many, many more houses are being built. Near to us on the fields that drain into said river. So, fields that used to "soak up" some of the rain are now covered in housing.

The water now "floods" into the river that's already way up rather than "draining" into it over a longer period of time very quickly worsening the issues downstream.

Also, apparently, we need to plant some astronomical number of trees to counteract climate change. I'm not sure where these are supposed to be planted as the land they might have gone on is now covered in houses......

Maybe I just don't understand all the clever stuff/people that make/allow the decisions.

Andy.

are these houses built on flood plain?

macafee2

14th February 2020, 22:51	#1
Mercury RV Regular poster Rover 75 Tourer Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Teynham Posts: 66 Thanks: 21 Thanked 28 Times in 11 Posts	Britain's storms and flooding There may well be someone who is with the Environment Agency and can provide us with a good reason behind this. I noticed on the news tonight that the poor people of Hebden Bridge are STILL waiting for the flood defences to be either finished or even started in some cases. Please someone explain to me why we no longer dredge the rivers/canals? The surely simple answer to flooding is to dredge the watercourses as we used to, the spoil can be used for other projects, by deepening the channels this will increase the volume the river can handle. I am aware when I was at a marina years ago, the Environment Agency stopped us dredging and stated it was not good for the environment, so does this mean that flooding is perhaps? Is it me or is dredging, quicker and more cost-effective, think of the poor people suffering in this!

17th February 2020, 07:23	#5
RPWC This is my second home 75 model car Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne Posts: 20,177 Thanks: 4,008 Thanked 5,083 Times in 3,114 Posts	Let’s all start a dredging the rivers campaign by blocking airports and encouraging our children to strike from school. On a serious note, I agree that dredging needs to be re introduced. __________________ Cheers. Rich…

17th February 2020, 08:23	#7
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,195 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	My first venture into the housing market was in 1970. From that day on I have always considered height above sea level as being more important than price. We are now in house 10, our final one (!). This one is the highest yet at 99 feet a-s-l. The last thing I will ever need to do is buy a canoe. There is a very good reason why flood plain land is cheaper, the 'market' rules with the compliance of planning departments. It is also unnecessary, there are thousands of dilapidated brownfield sites in every area in the country which could be cleaned up and developed without destruction of natural habitat. Think of all the new villages to be created in presently out-of-town areas - what a lovely prospect. An end to huge soulless estates producing crime and drug dealing. Utopia. __________________ member no. 235

15th February 2020, 08:50	#9
AndyN01 This is my second home Toyota RAV4 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Tamworth Posts: 3,076 Thanks: 2,478 Thanked 1,579 Times in 968 Posts	I've now lost the plot We "know" that there is more flooding. A local river has burst its banks half a dozen times in the last few months. In previous years it might have been once a year. Our population is growing so many, many more houses are being built. Near to us on the fields that drain into said river. So, fields that used to "soak up" some of the rain are now covered in housing. The water now "floods" into the river that's already way up rather than "draining" into it over a longer period of time very quickly worsening the issues downstream. Also, apparently, we need to plant some astronomical number of trees to counteract climate change. I'm not sure where these are supposed to be planted as the land they might have gone on is now covered in houses...... Maybe I just don't understand all the clever stuff/people that make/allow the decisions. Andy. Last edited by AndyN01; 15th February 2020 at 08:57..

15th February 2020, 07:20	#2
coolguy Coolguy Rover 75 CDT Tourer Auto, Rover 75 2.0 Connoisseur Auto, MG ZT 2.5 Auto and MG ZT Cdti Auto (Monogra Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Finedon Posts: 1,897 Thanks: 933 Thanked 638 Times in 430 Posts	Whilst agreeing that dredging should re-commence, we should also stop building on flood plains, and paving over front gardens - the water has to go somewhere!

17th February 2020, 07:49	#6
Nick Greg Posted a thing or two Honda Insight Hybrid Join Date: May 2015 Location: Brighouse Posts: 1,157 Thanks: 691 Thanked 424 Times in 280 Posts	Living not far from Hebden Bridge and Mytholmroyd I have seen the painfully slow progress of the flood defence works taking place. It is mind numbingly slow. I just don't get why it takes so darned long. Maybe we should invite the Chinese to do it for us. After all they can build HS2 in 5 years and under budget. Meanwhile the local council continues to grant planning permission for development on flood plains.