MP's concerns about flooding resource

MP Nick Gibb has raised concerns in the House of Commons about many residents in Littlehampton being unable to receive the Environment Agency's flood warnings.

During the statement on flooding in the House of Commons on Monday he told the secretary of state for the environment, Owen Paterson MP, the EA’s flood-alert service was not available to many, if not most, households in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.

He told the Gazette: “The Environment Agency’s flood alert service is crucial for residents in Littlehampton. “As a low lying coastal plain, surface water drainage is a significant issue and after prolonged periods of rain can lead to serious flooding.

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“I was concerned, therefore, to discover that many residents do not have access to the Environment Agency’s flood alert service. “Their website invites residents to sign up for the flood warnings and requests registration.

“Bognor Regis and Littlehampton residents, however, are likely to receive the message that the service ‘does not provide warnings for this address’.”

After speaking with Mr Paterson, Mr Gibb has now sent a letter to the minister with responsibility for the Environment Agency.

He has urged him to address the problem as ‘a matter of urgency’.