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To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he is taking to ensure cooperation between the public and private sectors in reacting to flood damage to major roads; what his powers are in relation to the combating of prolonged flooding of major roads;...
To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions, what steps he is taking to ensure cooperation between the public and private sectors in reacting to flood damage to major roads; what his powers are in relation to the combating of prolonged flooding of major roads;...
Asked by
Peter Ainsworth
(Conservative)
Answered by
Keith Hill
(Labour)
Answering body
Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
8 January 2001
For answer on
23 January 2001
Answered on
23 January 2001
Mr. Peter Ainsworth: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what steps he is taking to
ensure cooperation between the public and private sectors in reacting to flood damage to major roads; [144842]
(2) what his powers are in relation to the combating of prolonged flooding of major roads; [144841]
(3) what role has been played by the Environment Agency in connection with the recent flooding of the A22 in Whyteleafe; [144843]
(4) what action he has taken over the recent flooding of the A22 at Whyteleafe; and if he will make a statement. [144844]
Mr. Hill: [holding answer 11 January 2001]: The A22 at Whyteleafe is a local road for which Surrey county council is the highway
authority. As the highway authority, the county council are responsible for the maintenance of the road, including dealing with any
flooding problem. The Secretary of State does not have powers under the Highways Act 1980 to direct a local highway authority in the
discharge of its maintenance duties under the Act.
The flooding of the A22 at Whyteleafe was caused by a periodic flow of the Bourne due to the rising groundwater levels in the chalk
aquifer as a result of the heavy autumn rainfall. The Bourne is normally a dry watercourse and records show it has flowed on only
three occasions in the past 20 years. On this occasion the water was prevented from draining away as a result of blockages
downstream of the A22. The water backed up to form a lake that covered the road which was closed for safety reasons on police
advice. Alternative diversion routes were set up by Surrey county council and the London borough of Croydon.
To deal with the A22 flooding the Surrey county council and Tandridge district council set up a pumping arrangement to bypass the
blockages and take away the excess Bourne water. This was not a straightforward operation and factors such as the need to protect
the Kenley water works had to be considered. The pumping operation was successful and the road re-opened to traffic on 8 January.
A hydrogeologist from the Environment Agency visited the site of the flooding on 20 December and has liaised with officials of
Tandridge district council. The Bourne watercourse is not a "Main River" and is therefore the responsibility of the riparian
landowners. Tandridge district council and Surrey county council staff have been working to remove the blockages from the course of
the Bourne and Tandridge district council have taken the lead in bringing together key organisations to minimise the risk of a
repetition of the local flooding. The Environment Agency have provided advice to some individuals who contacted them about the
flooding of their properties.
In response to the countrywide flooding problems experienced as a result of the heavy autumn rainfall the Government have
established a Floods Task Force, chaired by the MAFF Minister for Fisheries and the Countryside, which draws together all relevant
departments and aims to ensure effective co-ordination of central Government's support for communities recovering from the effects
of flooding. The Task Force will share examples of good practice.
Subjects
Cooperation; Flood control; Floods; Private sector; Public sector; Roads; Surrey; A22
Date
23 January 2001
Reference
361 c517-8W;361 c519-20W; 144842;144841;144843;144844
House
House of Commons
Adjournment debate on roads in East Sussex.
Adjournment debate on roads in East Sussex.
Lead member
Nigel Waterson
Answering member
John Watts
Department
Department of Transport
Type
Adjournment debates
Subjects
Construction; East Sussex; Roads; A27; Polegate; A22
Date
28 February 1996
Reference
272 c975-80
Chamber / Committee
House of Commons chamber
House
House of Commons