Joe Robertson MP has criticised the Environment Agency’s newly released report into the Monktonmead flooding of October 2023, saying it offers little new information despite residents waiting nearly 2 years for answers.
The report was published this week, just days after Island Echo highlighted the Ryde Flood Action Group’s frustration at the lengthy delay and lack of updates. Local residents had demanded to know when the findings would finally be made public.
In response to the publication of the long-awaited report, Isle of Wight East MP Joe Robertson has criticised its contents.
Mr Robertson has said:
“I am unimpressed by the Environment Agency’s report into the flooding at Monktonmead in October 2023. It has taken 21 months to produce a report which tells us little new beyond identifying further investigative work and modelling needed to fully understand the causes of the flooding. That work could have been done during the lengthy period we have been waiting for this report.
“One thing we have learned, however, is that the Environment Agency and the local incident responder were unable to effectively communicate throughout the event, but there is no detail about how this will be avoided in the future.
“In conclusion, despite millions being spent on defences around Simeon Street Rec, it is hard to have full confidence that a similar event with similar mistakes and outcomes would not happen again. I will meet again with the local community and take all the unresolved issues to the highest levels within the EA.”
The MP’s comments highlight growing anger that valuable time has been wasted while residents have remained at risk of repeat flooding.
He has pledged to meet with the community and to take the matter directly to senior officials within the Environment Agency.
A local resident has told Island Echo:
“The Environment Agency’s latest report shows a worrying lack of accountability and transparency.
“They admit it’s only an initial review, yet we’ve waited nearly 2 years while people have lost homes and businesses. Critical design flaws, like relying on manual flood boards, raise serious questions about how £5 million was spent.
“There’s no original modelling or specs in the report – without that, how can we trust this scheme was fit for purpose?
“We want full hydraulic modelling with deadlines, the original design published, an independent review of the scheme’s standards, and proper plans so contractors can actually reach defences when it floods.
“We were promised protection. We were given inadequate assurance. Now we demand the comprehensive answers and remedial action that should have been in place from day one.
“Our community deserves real answers and action – not more delays while we remain at risk.”
But you must remember, someone as made a vast amount of money during this period.
Do you think they actually care?
No one cares, we live in a dog eat dog world.
People only care about themselves!
The reality is that such civil defense matters are the responsibillity of the local authority. 85% of local authority funds are spent on statutory provision for children and vulnerable adults. The remaiing 15% has to cover everything else and the Conservative government’s withdrawal of rate support grant funding for local authorities squeezed budgets till the pips squeaked. Things were bound to go wrong and they did. The Monktonmead flooding fell foul of the lack of civil contingency arrangements being effective. It all stems back to the government policy of destroying public services. This is not the only accident waiting to happen by a long chalk.
It doesn’t help thhat the key holder to the bins holding the flood barrier planks lives in Freshwater (at the time of flood), don’t know if that’s the case now. Maybe all keys to all bins around the island should be stationed in their own towns? Logistically that would be sensible.