A Flood Support Forum at which those hit by the winter storms can raise vital questions with experts – and discuss a local flood plan — has been organised by Tory MP Claire Perry, to be held on March 21.
“Now that, hopefully, the worst of the weather has passed I am keen that we work together to ensure that our communities are protected for the future, and that people know where they can access support if floods are likely,” she told Marlborough News Online.
“We also need to hear from the water companies about their plans to fix the structural problems affecting people particularly in Aldbourne and the Bedwyns.
“I have therefore organised a Flood Support Forum to which anyone concerned about flooding is invited on Friday 21 March 5.30pm-7pm in The Coronation Hall, East Grafton, SN8 3DB. The event will be a Q&A Question Time style event.
“Joining me on the panel will be senior representatives from Thames Water, Wessex Water, Wiltshire Council, The Environment Agency, NFU Mutual Insurance and a representative from The Great Bedwyn Flood Group, which has a great local flood plan.”
Anyone who would like to attend is asked to send an RSVP to tamara.reay@parliament.uk.”
Mrs Perry has also met residents from Little Bedwyn and Froxfield and senior representatives from Scottish and Southern Power at a meeting in Little Bedwyn to review the factors that led to the villages suffering lengthy power cuts over the Christmas holidays.
Typically SSE receive 1,000 calls reporting network failures, but on December 23 there were some 110,000 calls.
“Locally SSE is putting together a plan for investment to improve the resilience of the power network and I will be closely following these developments,” said Mrs Perry. “At the meeting SSE apologised for very poor customer communications over Christmas and offered enhanced compensation for those who suffered disruption.”
Anyone needing more information is asked to contact Mrs Perry’s local office on 01380 729 358.
The Parlour
