'COUNCIL SHOULD NOT EXPECT FLOOD VICTIMS TO DISPOSE OF SANDBAGS' - LORELY BURT MP

6.18.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 21st Aug 2007

Solihull's MP, Lorely Burt has slammed Solihull Council for telling pensioners affected by flooding that they are responsible for disposing of council supplied sandbags.

Mrs Burt, who took up the case for residents in Nethercote Gardens in Shirley, was told that it was residents' responsibility to dispose of the sandbags and their contents once they were satisfied that the risk of flooding has subsided.

"Sandbags arrived late and in too few numbers to protect many homes when the Cole burst its banks. To tell pensioners that it is now their responsibility to dispose of them after their home has been flooded is penny pinching and heartless.

"How do they expect older people to lift heavy sandbags? Should they put them in a bin bag and give them back to the council? It just seems ludicrous.

"There is also a potential health risk to residents who are being asked to handle sandbags that have been impregnated with polluted flood water," said Lorely Burt MP

Liberal Democrat councillors in Shirley West have undertaken a flood survey amongst local residents that has also highlighted general dissatisfaction with the level of service provided by the council during and after the floods.

Lorely Burt said she would also be writing to the Environment Agency to ask for regular inspection and maintenance of the Cole channels after residents claimed that a fallen tree had collected debris during the high waters and that sluice gates at Tritterford Park were closed, adding to the volume of flood water.