Extreme downpours are causing increasingly frequent pluvial flooding. In recent years, various floods have hit the United Kingdom hard. The recent floods in Northern England have caused a great deal of damage. This has prompted the British government to explore measures that will prevent such situations in the future.
For that reason, the Parliamentary Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee (EFRA) visited our country from 7 to 9 June to study the Dutch preventative approach. In December 2015, Northern England was hit hard by extremely high river water levels, causing particularly severe damage in Lancashire, where some 10,000 residents needed to be evacuated. In 2014, Somerset had already faced severe flooding.
Following the recent floods, a parliamentary inquiry has been launched in the United Kingdom, aimed at examining the prevention of further floods in the future. The idea is also to learn from others. The Dutch approach is playing a major role in this regard. A long-term strategy at the national level appears to be a first step.
From left to right, back row: Hein Pieper (Vice President, Dutch Water Authorities), Angela Smith (MP), Rebecca Pow (MP). Front row: Wim Kuijken, Neil Parish (MP, delegation chair).
Delta Programme Commissioner Wim Kuijken received the delegation on 9 June and explained the Dutch approach. Other Dutch parties attending the reception were the Dutch Water Authorities, represented by board member Hein Pieper, and Rijkswaterstaat (Bart Vonk). The British delegation was led by MP Neil Parish. The delegation, comprising 8 MPs from various parts of the UK, showed interest in the “Room for the River” approach, spatial adaptation, adaptive flood risk management, funding, and the administrative assurance of a long-term strategy.
The delegation has indicated its intention to further intensify the collaboration with the Netherlands. Expertise from the Delta Programme, the Water Authorities, and Rijkswaterstaat will be made available to this end. Neil Parish concluded the meeting by asking the Delta Programme Commissioner whether he would be prepared to present his convincing plea in London as well.