Chloe Smith MP welcomes Government Nine Million Pound funding to fight flooding for her constituents

Chloe Smith, MP for Norwich North, today welcomed the Transport Secretary’s announcement today of £9.123m for Norwich from the Department for Transport’s Challenge Fund to help upgrade key drainage infrastructure.

 

The funding was awarded following a bidding process from local authorities and the winners put forward the strongest case.  Norfolk County Council’s bid, which Chloe supported and lobbied the Transport Secretary in Parliament for, covers many areas within Norwich North including Hellesdon, Old Catton, Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew. 

 

Chloe Smith MP says: “I am delighted that the Government has awarded our bid funds to be able to upgrade key drainage infrastructure, addressing long standing flooding issues across my constituency.

 

I have been in contact with dozens of my constituents who have experienced serious problems with flooding, especially last summer. People have suffered extensive damage to their homes and businesses after extreme rainfall.  I therefore fully supported Norfolk County Council in their DfT Challenge Fund bid for the Greater Norwich Area Surface Water Drainage scheme.  It’s a good opportunity to help people protect their homes in the face of more frequent flash flooding.”

 

Chloe wrote to the Transport Secretary in February 2015 as follows:

 

 

 

Rt Hon Patrick McLoughlin MP

Secretary of State for Transport

Department for Transport

Great Minster House

33 Horseferry Road

London

SW1P 4DR

 

5^th February 2015

 

 

Dear Patrick,

 

Re: Greater Norwich Area Surface Water Drainage Scheme

 

I am writing to you concerning Norfolk County Council Highway’s submission bid for funding to the Department for Transport’s Local Highways Maintenance Challenge Fund Challenge to help upgrade key drainage infrastructure across the Norwich urban growth zone.  This bid covers many areas within my constituency including Hellesdon, Old Catton, Sprowston and Thorpe St Andrew. 

 

Some of the key outcomes of such an upgrade would include the installation of SuDS features to better protect residents in extreme rainfall events as well as extending the existing highway drainage network to increase the number of areas with positive systems.

 

I have been in contact with dozens of my constituents who have experienced serious problems with flooding, especially last summer. I have met with and visited many of my constituents who suffered extensive damage to their homes and businesses after extreme rainfall and therefore fully support Norfolk County Council in their DfT Challenge Fund bid for the Greater Norwich Area Surface Water Drainage scheme.

 

In particular, I welcome this opportunity to improve the resilience of the drainage system in the face of more frequent flash flooding events.  This is an important priority for residents and businesses, especially those affected by the recent and serious surface water flooding.  As well as helping to reduce the misery and disruption caused by flooding, alongside other investment, I consider that addressing these flooding issues is an essential requirement to help deliver the future growth strategy for Greater Norwich.

 

Yours ever,

Chloe Smith

Member of Parliament for Norwich North