(Graham (left) meeting ERYC Director of Environment and Neighbourhood Services Nigel Leighton (centre) and ERYC Flood Risk Manager Andy McLachlan (right) in January this year.)
Graham Stuart MP will meet Floods Minister Rory Stewart on Tuesday 19 April at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to discuss flooding and coastal issues affecting the East Riding of Yorkshire. He will be joined by Councillor Symon Fraser, ERYC portfolio holder for asset management, housing and the environment.
In December, Graham spoke in a debate in Parliament about the need for a comprehensive Humber flood strategy. Following that debate, he requested a personal meeting with the Floods Minister to quiz him about the Government’s plans for the defence of the Humber area and to identify how these can be improved.
Graham said, “I am looking forward to the opportunity to have face to face talks with the Minister about how homes and businesses in the East Riding will be protected from the threat of flooding and will not miss the chance to emphasise that all possible measures must be taken to ensure that our area is resilient against that threat.
“The devastating events of 2007 are still fresh in my mind and it is certain that the risk of flooding will arise again in the coming years – the only question is whether we will be prepared properly when it does. Therefore it’s imperative that the Government, the Council, the Environment Agency, and individual homeowners take all possible steps to make properties in our area as safe as they can be. Today’s meeting is the latest in a series of steps I am taking to make sure everyone plays their part in protecting Beverley and Holderness from destructive flooding, and that it remains high on the agenda for all concerned.”
