Prime Minister David Cameron made a visit to Buckfastleigh yesterday morning (27 November) to meet with residents in Station Road affected by flood damage after local rivers overflowed last weekend. The Prime Minister was joined by Buckfastleigh's local MP Mel Stride, whose Central Devon constituency has seen some of the worst flooding in the country. The local Town Council is now working on a Community Flood Plan to monitor the likelihood of flooding, to improve warnings to local residents and to engage the community in dealing with future problems.
Mel said: "I am very grateful to the Prime Minister for taking time out of his very busy schedule to visit Buckfastleigh and to meet with some of those affected by the extraordinary amount of rain we have had in the last fortnight. His visit underlines the seriousness with which the Government takes flood defence and I will do anything I can to help the Town Council with their Community Flood Plan. Having spent time with residents whose properties have been seriously damaged, no-one should underestimate the devastation caused by flooding."
Speaking during his visit the Prime Minister said: "It is obviously very traumatic when communities are hit by flooding like this... and now we need to help them with the recovery. We have to make sure their insurance pays out, make sure the Environment Agency puts in place good flood defences and make sure there are better warning schemes."
Today (28 November) during Prime Minister's Questions Mr Stride pressed the Prime Minister to step up the pressure to secure a deal with insurance companies to make sure that those affected by the floods are able to access affordable flood insurance. Speaking in the Commons chamber Mr Stride said: "Will my Right Honourable Friend join me in pressing the Association of British Insurers to stop grandstanding in their negotiations with the government on this issue and to get around the table to thrash out a sensible deal so that my constituents can have access to the affordable insurance they need?"
Many insurance companies have refused to cover high-risk properties and as a result many families affected by the recent flooding are not insured against the damage done to their properties.
