Jim Dobbin MP raises drainage system problems in Parliament

Jim Dobbin MP

Heywood amp; Middleton Labour MP Jim Dobbin has raised the issue of new developments linking to existing drainage systems and also the problem of poorly maintianed drainage systems in Parliament.

In a question to Hilary Benn, Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Mr Dobbin said: "My constituency is not a floodplain, but it has recently experienced two very serious flash-flooding episodes. My Right Honourable Friend has said that existing drainage systems will be looked at. Will he also insist that those undertaking the review plead with local authority planning departments to regulate properly new developments that link into the existing drainage systems, and please ask them to clean their grids more regularly?

Mr Benn replied: "The whole House would agree with the points that my Honourable Friend makes, particularly the last one: it is important that drainage systems be properly maintained, because they can become blocked, which affects the flow of water.

"First, it certainly is the responsibility of local authorities to ensure that when they give permission for new developments, the flood risk is assessed, as I have already described to the House.

"Secondly, it is clear that in future all local authorities will have to think about whether the current design standards for surface water drainage are adequate."