THE Government has published its National Flood Resilience Review. In directing resources to temporary defences (many of which will not be reusable,) it has again shown a short-sighted, reactive response to what is likely to be a regular occurrence in a world where climate change is causing increasing numbers of extreme weather events.
The Government appears to be focusing on insurance and recovery for residents post flood, when what is needed are long term efforts to prevent flooding in the first place.
Last winter’s storms were unprecedented and we can’t stop rain from falling, but we can change the way we manage the catchments areas of the Tyne.
Restoration of peat moorlands, woody debris ‘dams’, creation of flood meadows and increased tree planting have been shown to soak up the excess rainfall. This slows and lessens the peak flow which is what causes the devastating floods further downstream.
This is also a large part of the argument against driven grouse shooting , which encourages methods of land management which are damaging and costly for wildlife, the environment and ultimately wider society.
As a resident of Warden, I’ve witnessed the devastation caused by extreme flooding events and believe that only by taking a wider view to land management, can we ensure that the impact of storms, such as Desmond, are reduced to a minimum.
Wesley Foot,
Tynedale Green Party
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