Concerns about a river’s water level have prompted a Member of Parliament to call for urgent clarity over the risks of flooding.
South Suffolk MP James Cartlidge has requested an urgent meeting with the Environment Agency to discuss the use of flood gates at the River Brett in Hadleigh.
The agency was asked to investigate what impact the sluice gates being open or shut had on the likelihood of flooding occurring in the town during heavy rainfall.
Concerns have been raised about the low water levels at the River Brett in Hadleigh. Picture: Mark Snowling
Last week, it stated that opening or closing the gates ‘makes no difference’ to the chance of flooding, based on its risk modelling.
Mr Cartlidge has now asked for clarity on the implications this has for the current policy of having the gates open, in response to concerns about the River Brett’s low water level.
An online petition calling for the sluice gates to be closed has garnered more than 760 signatures, arguing that leaving them open has seriously diminished the river’s health.
James Cartlidge. Picture: Parliament
“I have been contacted by many concerned constituents from Hadleigh, who have their own views about the flood gates being opened or closed,” said Mr Cartlidge.
“This response from the Environment Agency suggests that it makes no significant difference. As such, I’m keen to understand what the implications are for use of the gates going forward.
“We have to take into account those who are concerned about flooding, but also balance that against those who may lose out when the river level is lower than it would be, without the current precautionary open-flood-gate approach.”