At the start of the year, the Environment Agency revealed proposals to update and enhance the Lower Mole Flood Alleviation Scheme, which protects local homes and businesses from flooding. Since its inception in 1989, the Scheme has provided protection to low-lying areas in Molesey, Esher and Hersham by controlling the flow of water via 3 […]
Read MoreToday, I met up with Julia Simpson, the Environment Agency’s Area Manager for the Thames Region. She updated me on a range of local issues. First, she gave me a briefing on the forthcoming works at the Molesey Weirs to bolster our flood defences. Next, Julia briefed me on flood protection works which took place […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I visited Friends of Hurst Park, a local group of people who are campaigning to protect and preserve the Hurst Park Meadow area. I had a good chat with the group about their aim to guarantee green space status for Hurst Park. They are concerned about the potential risk of future developments on Hurst […]
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On Friday I met up with local Councillors for Molesey, Steve Bax and Peter Szanto. Amongst other things, we talked about flood defences in Esher and Walton. Flooding has been fresh in our minds recently, with the terrible floods in Cumbria and across the North across Christmas, which left thousands of homes and businesses damaged. […]
Read MoreToday, I met with Julia Simpson and David Murphy, from the Environment Agency, to get an update on progress with the Lower River Thames Flood Scheme. The overarching strategy involves building flood river channels upstream, strengthening weir capacity at Sunbury and Molesey, improved property defences, enhanced coordination with local communities at neighbourhood level, and continuing […]
Read MoreThis morning, I visited Elmbridge Borough Council’s (EBC) floods operations room at the civic centre in Esher. I heard from Rob Moran, the Chief Executive, and talked to officers on the challenges of making people aware of the changing flood risk, distributing sandbags, contacting the elderly and vulnerable and - where required - supporting temporary […]
Read MoreElmbridge has been hit by the flooding caused by unprecedented weather conditions. Whilst damage has been done across the borough, properties near the River Thames - including Walton, Molesey and Thames Ditton - have been worst hit. Living in Thames Ditton, I have seen the rising river levels first-hand. I will be visiting some of […]
Read MoreOn Friday, I was briefed by the team at Walton Fire Station, under Area Chief Eddie Roberts and Operations Group Manager Bob Weldon-Gamble. The team demonstrated and explained a range of scenarios that they are trained to deal with, including: water rescue (the depot has bespoke expertise and equipment for this type of rescue); a […]
Read MoreI have written a piece for the Daily Telegraph today, here, making the case for an overhaul of the inefficient green subsidies and tariffs that are punishing the squeezed middle. Our environmental priorities must make wider economic sense - which, I argue, means a greater focus on research and development, mitigation (especially flood defences) and […]
Read MoreLast Friday, I visited Molesey lock. It serves a dual role, as an active waterway and a part of the wider system of flood management in the area. I toured the lock and was briefed by Andrew Pearce, Regional Manager and Matt Carter, Waterways Manager, Steve Bowlam, Molesey lock-keeper, and local volunteer, John Graham. With […]
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