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The CLA today (9 April 2010) urged the Government not to ignore local solutions to sorting out flood defence problems, as the Flood and Water Management Bill received Royal Assent.

The Association agreed with many aspects of the new Act while expressing concern that the Environment Agency’s strategic role for flood and erosion management might get in the way of resolving issues locally.

CLA President William Worsley said: “The CLA supports many of the proposals that were recommended by the Pitt Review and the Efra Committee which have shaped the development of the Flood and Water Management Bill.

“We have worked closely with MPs, ministers and government officials to make sure landowners’ rights are protected and that they will be fairly treated by the new law. Often local groups and partnerships can raise money to maintain and build flood defences which give good value for money if innovative solutions are encouraged.

“For example, funding could be raised from sustainable developments on the edge of towns and villages which could then be used by landowners to maintain defences that benefit the whole community.”

However, the CLA President took issue with the new Act’s provisions on reservoirs.

Mr Worsley said: “Although the CLA secured an important amendment to ensure the threshold for reservoirs would be reviewed after one year, we are still concerned about the impact this could have on land managers.

“We will be asking the next Government to remove all identified low-risk reservoirs from the register.”

Source: http://www.cla.org.uk/News_and_Press/Latest_Releases/water/Flood_and_Coastal_Defences/1002245.htm/