Mel Stride MP thanked the Environment Secretary Owen Paterson MP in the House of Commons today after he had made a special visit to the village of Kennford, in his constituency, following extensive damage caused by the River Kenn bursting its banks.
Mr Paterson was taken around Kennford this morning by local Teignbridge District Councillor Kevin Lake who showed the minister houses where residents’ downstairs rooms and many of their belongings had been completely ruined. Mr Paterson then made a statement in the House in the afternoon detailing the support that was being given, both locally and across the country to those affected by the recent flooding.
Responding on the floor of the House to Mr Patterson’s Commons statement Mr Stride said: “May I thank my right hon. Friend for this morning visiting Kennford, a small village in my constituency that has been overwhelmed by the flooding, and affording me the time to discuss the situation with him. Will he join me in thanking in particular Martin Weiler and his team at the EA, who have done such extraordinary work in the village in reassuring people and providing information?”
Flood rescue equipment was deployed by the EA to support local partners in Devon and Cornwall; six high-volume pumps were used and four boats were deployed, managed locally by the fire and rescue service national co-ordination centre. Nationally, the EA has issued flood warnings to over 93,000 properties in the past week, and these warnings are often crucial in giving people time to protect their properties or move precious belongings to somewhere safe. More than 1.1 million households have now signed up to the Environment Agency’s flood warning system and Mr Stride encouraged any of his constituents who are concerned about flooding to sign up to the EA’s free flood warning service by calling 0845 988 1188 or visiting www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
