'FINAL PITT REPORT ON FLOODING A WASH-OUT' - BURT

5.23.25pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 25th Jun 2008

Local Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt has condemned the findings of the government sponsored Pitt report into flooding protection as a "wash out" and "woefully inadequate" following its publication this morning.

Commenting on the recommendations of the final report, Richard Burt said:

"One year on from the devastating floods that hit the county, Pitt is claiming there is enough government funding to deal with future flood defences.

"The reality is towns like Tenbury Wells will never qualify for flood defences and others like Upton will be waiting years to see any real improvements.

"DEFRA's priority scoring system for flood defence projects still gives top priority to the number of homes threatened, which means smaller towns and villages that flood more often will never qualify for help and will be left to their own defences.

"Pitt has missed the opportunity to recommend more grant money for home flood proofing, vital to help protect homes where there are inadequate flood defences, or no defences at all.

"He has also failed to address the need for extra money for local authorities who will take on extra responsibilities for the management of drainage. District councils will struggle to make any impact with only one ore two responsible officers and no extra money to improve the service.

"Liberal Democrats called for an extra £1billion to be made available for flood defences last autumn. The Pitt report is a wash out and will do little to help protect vulnerable homes and businesses across the county.