The winter of 2019 was one of the wettest on record. Even before I was elected as your MP in December, I saw first-hand the impact which flooding is having on different parts of the constituency.
My team have been working around the clock since the Winter floods to get the bottom of the issue. We have compiled a report highlighting the key problems across the constituency and outlining next steps for the agencies responsible which you can find below.
The report is based on information we gathered from the village flood meetings we managed to attend before the pandemic, correspondence from residents and input from parish councils. I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to this report.
I have liaised with residents and local councils to understand what they believe is causing the flooding problems. Armed with this information, I have raised residents' concerns with the appropriate department. I will now work with these departments and all parties involved to tackle these issues. I will also continue to campaign in Westminster for the necessary changes to protect communities and reduce the risk of further flooding.
Examples of the actions I am pursuing include: an improved pumping station for East Leake, better management of the River Smite, limiting water companies' rights to overpump and tightening up planning legislation.
Please note that this report is not exhaustive and is based on information we received. It is designed to help identify problems and create solutions going forward so that we can do our best to tackle the root causes.
View the Report in full here
If you would like to get in touch about something you have seen in the report or share your experiences last Winter's recent flooding, you can write in to ruth.edwards.mp@parliament.uk with your full name and address (so that my team can verify you are a Rushcliffe constituent).
If you need to report a flood or a possible cause of flooding, you can use the contact details below:
For flooding from public drains and roads - Nottinghamshire County Council: 0300 500 8080
For floodwater containing sewage or burst water mains - Severn Trent Water Flooding Contact: 0800 783 4444
For river flooding - Environment Agency 24 Hour Floodline: 0345 988 1188
For help with sandbags - Rushcliffe Borough Council (9am-5pm)/(Out of Hours): 0115 981 9911 / 0115 981 1143