Floods advice road show comes to Bawburgh and Surlingham

Two beautiful South Norfolk villages close to rivers and broads are being targeted by emergency planning officers concerned at the risk of floods as winter approaches.

With the disastrous scenes of flooding in Hull and Gloucestershire still fresh in everyone's minds, South Norfolk Council is working with the Environment Agency to visit communities in the district with advice.

Next Wednesday, October 3, they will be at the Ferry House Inn car park, Surlingham between 10am and 1pm and then the Kings Head car park, Bawburgh between 1.30pm and 4pm.

South Norfolk Councillor David Bills, who is Cabinet Member for the Environment, will be attending the roadshow at Bawburgh, and has urged local people to join him.

He said:

“These roadshows follow the recent and successful Operation Pontus flood evacuation and recovery exercise, which tested the response of all the services and statutory authorities across the county to a predicted major flooding incident along the North Norfolk coast.

“We took part in that and also the follow-up exercise testing how councils like ours would manage the post flooding recovery.

"It impressed on me and on everyone of us the importance of being prepared.

“This is a community responsibility and I strongly recommend people come along to these roadshows.”

Councillor Sue Thomson, who represents the village of Surlingham as part of her Rockland ward is cancelling her other business to attend the roadshow. She too is concerned to ensure local people are prepared.

She said:

"The terrible experiences of people in Gloucestershire and Hull are a warning to us all that we cannot be complacent.

"The council will have flood zone maps and examples of ways to protect your property, including products that are better than sandbags.

"Anyone who can get along should try to do so, and use the opportunity to speak to the experts about protecting their homes, property and lives."

Councillor Garry Wheatley represents Cringleford ward, where Bawburgh is based, along with his colleague Councillor Chris Kemp. He is also Cabinet Member for Resources at the council.

He said:

"Flooded meadows are a seasonal event in Bawburgh and Colney, but it will be useful for residents to understand how this is controlled and managed to ensure that life and property are adequately protected."

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