The Chief Executive of the Government’s Environment Agency, Philip Duffy, visited Chesterfield last week to meet with local MP, Toby Perkins, and local residents, to discuss the actions needed to protect the town from flooding. Mr Duffy visited Tapton Terrace and has committed to taking all the action necessary to protect its residents.
Toby Perkins said, “I am very grateful to Mr Duffy for visiting Chesterfield and taking the time to speak to residents and business owners affected by flooding. Mr Duffy’s commitment to taking action to protect the residents of Tapton Terrace was very welcome. Mr Duffy seems to share the view that the unique challenges that face Tapton Terrace residents can only be alleviated by pursuing a Compulsory Purchase order on those properties and helping tenants and residents to move to alternative accommodation”.
Mr Duffy, Toby and senior EA staff discussed flood risk across Chesterfield, including the proposals for a flood alleviation scheme on the River Hipper and the risk to life on Tapton Terrace.
Toby added, ‘I reiterated again the need for a scheme on the River Hipper, similar to the Avenue Washlands flood basin at Wingerworth. This scheme is further off and will require a great deal of funding, but progress is being made on developing a business case. We also discussed other immediate actions that can be taken to alleviate the flood risk across the Borough.
However, what pleased me most from the meeting was Mr Duffy’s understanding of the particular risks at Tapton Terrace and his strong commitment to take action. I will be updating residents and having further meetings with Mr Duffy, EA managers, Severn Trent and the local councils. A compulsory purchase order of this sort hasn’t been done in England before, but I am pursuing it and other schemes relentlessly to try and provide local flood-risk residents with the assurances they need.
I would also like to remind all residents affected by floods in Chesterfield that they can get flood insurance as a result of the government and industry partnership arrangement on the Flood Re scheme and invite any residents who believe they cannot get insurance to contact my office- although sadly that scheme is for householders only, it does not support landlords or businesses.”
