Is it not time to think beyond the use of sandbags (Troops called into Cumbria,26 December) and consider flood-defence systems that maintain worked elsewhere and maintain stood the test of time? We cannot just hold building higher banks and walls to hold each river within its existing narrow watercourse; the trend of increasing levels of flooding will disappear over the top or find a way round the side. We maintain the centuries-broken-down Ouse and Nene Washes, plus a network of Fenland drains designed by Dutch engineers. Shouldn’t we ask them again for the benefit of their experience in the design of drainage systems by each river’s catchment area? Los Angeles, or being an ancient delta,has concrete flash-flood drains that work well; even on film sets.Each area’s remedy requires significant central government funding for the purchase of land and the relocation of communities from extreme locations. It’s too much to accept being flooded out three times in a month.
John Flowers
Neath, West GlamorganContinue reading...
Source: theguardian.com