MP Ian Liddell-Grainger calls for an end to flooding chaos (From Bridgwater Mercury)

MP Ian Liddell-Grainger calls for an end to flooding chaos

8:00am Sunday 13th January 2013 in News By Matthew Colledge

Ian Liddell-Grainger said the flooding had been 'awful'.

THE devastation caused by widespread winter flooding across Sedgemoor must not be allowed to happen again.

That was the demand this week from Bridgwater’s MP Ian Liddell-Grainger, who is arranging a meeting of key figures, including a top Government Minister, to learn lessons from the floods.

Mr Liddell-Grainger told the Mercury he wanted to bring together representatives from the Environment Agency, Somerset County Council, Somerset’s district councils, and the emergency services, to make sure there is no repeat in 2013 of the chaos caused by persistent heavy rainfall.

He will also be inviting Environment Minister Owen Paterson to the meeting, which he plans to host in the spring.

He told the Mercury: “This is about how we stop this happening again. The flooding has been awful.

“I’ve been out across the area, at Moorland, Fordgate, Burrowbridge, North Petherton, Lyng, Othery and Cannington, and seen the damage.

“Roads have been shut, the railways have been shut – it’s been like going back to the Dark Ages.”

Mr Liddell-Grainger said the Environment Agency had been doing everything it could to minimise the impact of this winter’s flooding but more needed to be done to prevent future floods.

He added: “There has always been a problem with the cleaning of the rhynes and about having proper water management schemes.

“We need to sit down and have a major conversation about how on earth we are going to change this.”

Comments(22)

Alex@SDA says...
10:46am Sun 13 Jan 13

I'm glad you put up his picture, then when he comes to Cannington again, we will know what he looks like.

Normally only seems to show his face election times.

Perhaps he will demonstrate that he is capable of some action, if his indifference and in particular his failure to answer his post is anything to go by, I won't be holding my breath.

I'm sure the local conservative party could suggest someone better. He isn't popular down Williton area as he strongly vilified the West Somerset Council in the press and on his web-site. His comments were scurrilous to say the least.

To me he is a vote loser.

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Doverbeme says...
11:01am Sun 13 Jan 13

Forgot he was our MP. I was happy. And then I saw that picture. Ruined my day. Still, good to see a nice, quick response to the flooding that happened last November. If he starts inviting people to the meeting now, could have the flood issue sorted by the summer.

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If tomorrow never comes!! says...
12:07pm Sun 13 Jan 13

This person is a joke, he only gets involved in matters if it suits him and if it does not you have no chance. Mr G it's over a year now since you received our letter, you must have a very large tray of unanswered mail.

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RustyKnight says...
12:58pm Sun 13 Jan 13

So Mr LG are you going to get the rivers dredged again?
Look at the Parrett, if it were dredged regularly there would be enough capacity for at least a third more water than there is at the moment. Plus the mud that is removed could be used to build dykes to stop places on the levels from flooding.

Its just a shame the councils didn't consider flooding when they gave permission for houses to be build on flood plains - then this winter might not have been as bad for as many people.

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Boring says...
9:05pm Sun 13 Jan 13

RustyKnight wrote:
So Mr LG are you going to get the rivers dredged again?
Look at the Parrett, if it were dredged regularly there would be enough capacity for at least a third more water than there is at the moment. Plus the mud that is removed could be used to build dykes to stop places on the levels from flooding.

Its just a shame the councils didn't consider flooding when they gave permission for houses to be build on flood plains - then this winter might not have been as bad for as many people.

The bridge on the NDR,that leads to the houses that are built on a floodplain,is probably the reason the Parret can't be dredged.
I can't see how a dredger of any kind could get underneath that bridge.
The council were advised of this before the bridge was built, but ignored the advice given!

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Boring says...
9:11pm Sun 13 Jan 13

This fella ILG, is he any relation to the bloke who comes around Bridgwater every 5 years or so with a blue rosette on?
Perhaps he's spent the last 2.5 years hiding away whilst counting his excessive expenses he claims,Just a thought like!

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MINIME2 says...
10:30pm Sun 13 Jan 13

I thought it was just my emails and post he didnt answer seems he ignores us all.
What exactly does he think he can do to solve the flooding problem ???? The planning continue to give permission to build on flood plains it will never stop.I suppose because he is concerned about his farming friends never mind the ordinary people.

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Bridgy old Boy says...
10:01am Mon 14 Jan 13

Well if ILG and his Condem pals had not voted for a cut to the Environment Agency budget then there may be more chance of paying for the dredging works!

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RobBW says...
11:42am Mon 14 Jan 13

Perhaps he could write/speak to the Almighty himself and ask him to stop it raining!! LOL

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File Yer Own Bleedin Teeth says...
12:16am Tue 15 Jan 13

Mr. M.P, never mind the flooding. Can you add your voice to the growing clamour of those demanding that the infamous Mr. Blobby should be dealt with, if he is not already being liquidated?.

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Blue Owl says...
9:15am Tue 15 Jan 13

RustyKnight wrote:
So Mr LG are you going to get the rivers dredged again?
Look at the Parrett, if it were dredged regularly there would be enough capacity for at least a third more water than there is at the moment. Plus the mud that is removed could be used to build dykes to stop places on the levels from flooding.

Its just a shame the councils didn't consider flooding when they gave permission for houses to be build on flood plains - then this winter might not have been as bad for as many people.

Rustyknight, the post u made, is the same, questions that ,as a SDC/BTC for 8 years, I asked and had meetings with the Environment Officers, over in their Offices, and also when they came to SDC Scrutiny Meetings, to be held to Account. Little Hope!!
They are a Law To theirselves, they do not listen to anyone outside their, sphere of so-called Expertise , with their Computor -Generated Modeules, a it like SCCHighways. So, when they were asked about dredging of the R. Parrett , and the work done to reduce Flooding from the Parrett overtopping the Banks? well, about 4-5 yrs ago they had Dredger Barges out @ Moorland, nr to the Thatchers Pub for over 6 Months, they were so-called removing sludge /mud and taking it out into the estuary down river, and dumping it back into the water, this operation, cost over £450.000 Pound's, well, guess what happened on the subsequent incoming Tides, u don't have to be an Environment Highly Paid Waterways Engineer, the mud was washed back up the Parrett.
The area, by Thatchers in the River, is now narrower in the Channel than it was b4. Now is'nt that NOT a Suprise!!
So, back to the Face -Face meetings in the Envir Tower. They feel happy talking on their own Territory, unlike when in front of our SDC Scrutiny Commitee, where they are evasive , squirming in their seat. Afraid, that they might say something that, will compromise them, in some way.
So I enquired as to why the dredged mud, could not be removed and built upon to the Banks along the river, where it was deemed to be liable to overtop@ Highest Tides.? Answer: The mud is contaminated, and is not allowed to be spread, on the Banks!!
When further pressed by myself, as to what, toxic contaminates were present, no defined answer given.!!
I further asked, why the capacity, of the River, was not improved by the complete removal of the So Called contaminated Mud, they could contract with a;Farms along the Length of the River to excavate soil, use this, which would be of a Clay/Soil mix, to raise the Banks height, putting the So-Called Contaminated Mud extracted back on the Land and topping with the original Topsoil.
This would allow upto 75% more Water Capacity to be held @ high Tide.we are all aware that u cannot get a Quart into a Pint Pot. But 1 Million Gals will go into 4 Million Capacity. Of a properly dredged River Parrett.
There is also the question I asked re - the high insurance & Mortgage Surcharges levied, because according to this Agency, we in TA6 Postcode are in a1 in 100 year High Risk Flood Area, here in Bridgwater ,on Dunwear and Bower, with the improvement work done over the last 20 years, with Enviro Agency work and Monies allocated to them, there is less of a risk, if ever there was 10 years ago. But do they amend their Stats / Flood Area Mapping NO!. We are still paying Surcharges on our personal Policies for Insurances and Mortgages!!!
I will be 60 this year, lived@ Somerville Way for 35 Yrs, my Late Grandparents lived for 50 + Years on Corner of Bower Lane-Westonzoyland Rd, in Dunwear Villa, were they ever flooded, up until the moved in 1966!!? No they were not. So were do these Environment Experts get their Stats from?? who Knows ! More importantly why will they not update and amend them
If we in Bridgwater, are @ Risk of future Flooding then why are they not backing the Call for the R Parrett Barage to be Built, they can 't have it Both Ways, or can they !!!
Regards David Preece
Blue-owl.

[quote][p][bold]RustyKnight[/bold] wrote: So Mr LG are you going to get the rivers dredged again? Look at the Parrett, if it were dredged regularly there would be enough capacity for at least a third more water than there is at the moment. Plus the mud that is removed could be used to build dykes to stop places on the levels from flooding. Its just a shame the councils didn't consider flooding when they gave permission for houses to be build on flood plains - then this winter might not have been as bad for as many people.[/p][/quote]Rustyknight, the post u made, is the same, questions that ,as a SDC/BTC for 8 years, I asked and had meetings with the Environment Officers, over in their Offices, and also when they came to SDC Scrutiny Meetings, to be held to Account. Little Hope!! They are a Law To theirselves, they do not listen to anyone outside their, sphere of so-called Expertise , with their Computor -Generated Modeules, a it like SCCHighways. So, when they were asked about dredging of the R. Parrett , and the work done to reduce Flooding from the Parrett overtopping the Banks? well, about 4-5 yrs ago they had Dredger Barges out @ Moorland, nr to the Thatchers Pub for over 6 Months, they were so-called removing sludge /mud and taking it out into the estuary down river, and dumping it back into the water, this operation, cost over £450.000 Pound's, well, guess what happened on the subsequent incoming Tides, u don't have to be an Environment Highly Paid Waterways Engineer, the mud was washed back up the Parrett. The area, by Thatchers in the River, is now narrower in the Channel than it was b4. Now is'nt that NOT a Suprise!! So, back to the Face -Face meetings in the Envir Tower. They feel happy talking on their own Territory, unlike when in front of our SDC Scrutiny Commitee, where they are evasive , squirming in their seat. Afraid, that they might say something that, will compromise them, in some way. So I enquired as to why the dredged mud, could not be removed and built upon to the Banks along the river, where it was deemed to be liable to overtop@ Highest Tides.? Answer: The mud is contaminated, and is not allowed to be spread, on the Banks!! When further pressed by myself, as to what, toxic contaminates were present, no defined answer given.!! I further asked, why the capacity, of the River, was not improved by the complete removal of the So Called contaminated Mud, they could contract with a;Farms along the Length of the River to excavate soil, use this, which would be of a Clay/Soil mix, to raise the Banks height, putting the So-Called Contaminated Mud extracted back on the Land and topping with the original Topsoil. This would allow upto 75% more Water Capacity to be held @ high Tide.we are all aware that u cannot get a Quart into a Pint Pot. But 1 Million Gals will go into 4 Million Capacity. Of a properly dredged River Parrett. There is also the question I asked re - the high insurance & Mortgage Surcharges levied, because according to this Agency, we in TA6 Postcode are in a1 in 100 year High Risk Flood Area, here in Bridgwater ,on Dunwear and Bower, with the improvement work done over the last 20 years, with Enviro Agency work and Monies allocated to them, there is less of a risk, if ever there was 10 years ago. But do they amend their Stats / Flood Area Mapping NO!. We are still paying Surcharges on our personal Policies for Insurances and Mortgages!!! I will be 60 this year, lived@ Somerville Way for 35 Yrs, my Late Grandparents lived for 50 + Years on Corner of Bower Lane-Westonzoyland Rd, in Dunwear Villa, were they ever flooded, up until the moved in 1966!!? No they were not. So were do these Environment Experts get their Stats from?? who Knows ! More importantly why will they not update and amend them If we in Bridgwater, are @ Risk of future Flooding then why are they not backing the Call for the R Parrett Barage to be Built, they can 't have it Both Ways, or can they !!! Regards David Preece Blue-owl. Blue Owl

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Fartypants says...
4:20pm Tue 15 Jan 13

To my mind this article would be better entitled "Floods call for an end to MP Ian Liddell-Grainger chaos"

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Alex@SDA says...
5:35pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Fartypants wrote:
To my mind this article would be better entitled "Floods call for an end to MP Ian Liddell-Grainger chaos"

Pity there isn't a "Like" button.

I note a long & rambling reply from Blue-Owl, I wonder however what his views are on the indolence of HIS M.P. A point that seemed to have by-passed Blue-Owl.

Perhaps his head in under his wing?

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noleaders says...
6:44pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Pity Ian wasnt at the development control meeting today that passed the planning application to build behind Durliegh road which will probably cause more flooding..

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Blue Owl says...
8:37pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Alex@SDA wrote:

Fartypants wrote:
To my mind this article would be better entitled "Floods call for an end to MP Ian Liddell-Grainger chaos"
Pity there isn't a "Like" button.

I note a long & rambling reply from Blue-Owl, I wonder however what his views are on the indolence of HIS M.P. A point that seemed to have by-passed Blue-Owl.

Perhaps his head in under his wing?

In reply, to your Comment, 'Long and Rambling reply", sorry if you consent ration time is short, but I like to explain fully when I am expressing my own view point. When I need to cover, more than one point, giving information so others can understand where the input, has been gained from. So be it.
you don't have to read my Comment, scroll down, it is not obligatory to read!
To be frank I find you comments insulting, but you can say what you like. I L Grainger is more than capable of defending his position of MP for Bridgwater & West Somerset. His time is well spent carrying out his duties in Parliament, on Numerous Important Commitee's, as well as here in Bridgwater most Fridays for Surgery meetings with Constituents. The rest of his time spent around one of the largest and diverse Rural Area Constituences, you asked or implied , So I 've informed you.

Get a Life !
Regards David Preece
Aka Blue - Owl
Genuine Critism, I don't mind, innuendo and sarcasm. Ruffles the Blue Feathers. but then that was your desire,!!

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windswept and interesting says...
9:49pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Your loyalty is very admirable and extremely predictable Blue (Ostrich) Owl.

You must by now be top of ILG's list to carry that chair down the High Street again come next election

Let's just hope that the voting public make sure you don't get the opportunity.

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Alex@SDA says...
10:29pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Well Mr Blue Owl, a lot of what you say I agree with, we are of the same generation and both of us are realists.

I did skip most of your posting, as per the norm when they go on a bit. Brevity can have a better effect, and surely you realise that if you construct an epistle to the Ephesians, most of us will get bored reading it.

Short, sharp & to the point.

Your support of ILG is admirable, but surely you can see for yourself your party could do so much better.

I'm sorry if my opposing points come across as "insulting" I can assure you that is not my agenda. There are those out there that simply don't get where you are coming from, perhaps that is because your points are lost or swamped by content. If I ever bump into you I would buy you a drink.

I'll leave you to work that one out.

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Doverbeme says...
2:35pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Blue Owl wrote:

Alex@SDA wrote:

Fartypants wrote:
To my mind this article would be better entitled "Floods call for an end to MP Ian Liddell-Grainger chaos"
Pity there isn't a "Like" button.

I note a long & rambling reply from Blue-Owl, I wonder however what his views are on the indolence of HIS M.P. A point that seemed to have by-passed Blue-Owl.

Perhaps his head in under his wing?
In reply, to your Comment, 'Long and Rambling reply", sorry if you consent ration time is short, but I like to explain fully when I am expressing my own view point. When I need to cover, more than one point, giving information so others can understand where the input, has been gained from. So be it.
you don't have to read my Comment, scroll down, it is not obligatory to read!
To be frank I find you comments insulting, but you can say what you like. I L Grainger is more than capable of defending his position of MP for Bridgwater & West Somerset. His time is well spent carrying out his duties in Parliament, on Numerous Important Commitee's, as well as here in Bridgwater most Fridays for Surgery meetings with Constituents. The rest of his time spent around one of the largest and diverse Rural Area Constituences, you asked or implied , So I 've informed you.

Get a Life !
Regards David Preece
Aka Blue - Owl
Genuine Critism, I don't mind, innuendo and sarcasm. Ruffles the Blue Feathers. but then that was your desire,!!

Ian Liddell- Grainger is, in my opinion, useless, pointless, and worthless as an MP. I can't name a single useful thing he has ever done for Bridgwater. If it weren't for the fact that sadly it appears a Tory will be voted in in Bridgwater every time irrespective of the quality of the candidate, ILG would never have been elected.

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Blue Owl says...
10:55am Thu 17 Jan 13

Blue-Owl Twittering Here, I myself have said b4 Iain LG, will never be Tom King, but he has qualities, in many area's, but, I have to agree he let's himself down by not responding to Correspondence, whether that be by his Office Staff @ Northgate, not providing him with the information, fully or the importance to the individual, with whom is making the contact for his assistance.
That is for his Secretary Claire, to reconsider, far be it from me to say!
There one thing I will say, that is, may we have A Conservative M P here in Somerset, for many more years, as Liberal would be "Sit on the Fence Polotics, and worse than that a Labour M P, would be a disaster Darling, as Craig would say on strictly Come Dancing.
I will be happy to carry Iain or his Tory Successor in the Traditional Chair, if asked........next Election, but it is never a forgone conclusion, I might be dead!
Regards Blue-Owl, still on the Perch!!

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windswept and interesting says...
3:08pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Blue Owl wrote:
Blue-Owl Twittering Here, I myself have said b4 Iain LG, will never be Tom King, but he has qualities, in many area's, but, I have to agree he let's himself down by not responding to Correspondence, whether that be by his Office Staff @ Northgate, not providing him with the information, fully or the importance to the individual, with whom is making the contact for his assistance.
That is for his Secretary Claire, to reconsider, far be it from me to say!
There one thing I will say, that is, may we have A Conservative M P here in Somerset, for many more years, as Liberal would be "Sit on the Fence Polotics, and worse than that a Labour M P, would be a disaster Darling, as Craig would say on strictly Come Dancing.
I will be happy to carry Iain or his Tory Successor in the Traditional Chair, if asked........next Election, but it is never a forgone conclusion, I might be dead!
Regards Blue-Owl, still on the Perch!!

Well well well...at last recognition of what many have been saying on here for a long long time, albeit gilded with a bit of buck passing.

We are talking here about the persistent failure to either respond or follow up on matters that as an MP is is paid duty to do.

I sincerely doubt that a Iib Dem or Labour or heaven forbid another Conservative MP ( I've resisted using the "T" word) would be able to do a worse job !!

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Ahaddict says...
4:51pm Thu 17 Jan 13

I am one of the people whose house flooded and I have to say the only time we saw Mr LG was when the TV cameras were there! District Cllr Ian Dyer however was there with us through the night when the water was coming in and did everything he could to help and has been campaigning for us ever since. Watch and learn ILG!

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Mr_Opinionated says...
5:22pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Typical Government twaddle, Flooding a disgrace so tell you what lets pave more green fields with houses, no infrastructure and wonder why mother nature bites us on the arse. Get a grip!!!!!!

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