Why won’t the Government take forward our common-sense steps to tackle flooding? That’s the question I’m asking this Flood Action Week.
Back in June, I introduced the Planning (Flooding) Bill to Parliament, which would have ensured that the views of flooding experts are considered during the planning process by making Internal Drainage Boards (IDBs) statutory consultees to planning applications.
IDBs can also only be removed as statutory consultees if they are replaced by another suitable body.
Read: ‘Be ready, not worried’: Flood Action Week event to help Bedfordians protect homes and communities
And where the guidance from IBDs, the Environment Agency or local flood authorities considers that development would increase flood risk for existing properties, there would be a presumption against development.
Sadly, despite passing its First Reading in the House of Commons, the Government objected to it at its Second Reading. Do you think it’s sensible that the people who manage water levels in our area have a say on housebuilding?
That’s what my Bill asked for. Do you think we should prevent housing being built in areas where flood risk would be increased? That’s what my Bill would have made happen.
Common sense
These seem like common sense policies when it comes to housebuilding, so it is frustrating that the Government is blocking the Bill. And that’s why I want to use Flood Action Week 2025 to highlight it again.
While we may have had an unusually hot and sunny British summer this year, on Flood Action Week 2024, many of you were suffering from the devastating impact of September 2024’s flooding.
One year on, despite securing a debate in Parliament and raising it directly with the Minister, the Government has failed to act and little has changed.
We have seen some small wins. Many of you will remember the frustrating closure of the A421 which caused travel chaos across Bedfordshire.
I met with National Highways numerous times to discuss the lessons learned, and I’m pleased to say that the relocation of the pumping station, which found itself underwater during the flooding, rendering it ineffective, has now been completed which will hopefully ease the risk of flooding even the future.
More needs to be done, and we will keep working to hold the Government and other public agencies to account on flooding and putting you at the heart of everything I do in Parliament.
This is a monthly guest column provided by
Blake Stephenson, Conservative MP for Mid Bedfordshire.
It is published unedited and does not
reflect the views of the Bedford Independent.
