Ever-rising issue of flooding

From my column in the Derby Telegraph on the 31st January 2025.

Flooding is one of the issues people tell me concerns them most.

It’s not hard to see why so many of us are worried about it.

Having your home, businesses, or the premises you care for filled with water – destroying possessions and items of sentimental value – is devastating.

There are many factors behind the increasing frequency of flooding, but climate change bringing wetter weather is a big part of the story.

Our stewardship of the environment is one of the greatest challenges we face. Not acting on it would be self-harm. In addition to causing flooding, it is shifting access to natural resources and will likely become a driver of conflict in the future.

Many communities across Derby and Derbyshire now suffer regular flooding. It has become an issue so extensive that some businesses and residents have moved beyond flood prevention, turning to flood management and mitigation.

There was a sense of inevitability that hung over Belper Town Football Club when they told me it was no longer a question of ‘if’ but ‘when’ their pitches and clubhouse would flood again.

The government, councils, and the Environment Agency have a fundamental responsibility to ensure communities are protected as best as possible from flooding.

That’s why the new government is expanding flood defences, improving drainage systems, and developing natural flood management schemes. It is investing over £2.4 billion extra by next March, ensuring tens of thousands more properties will be better protected and bringing peace of mind to many more householders and businesses.

Better flood management for communities like Breadsall and Duffield, which have suffered more frequent and severe flooding in recent years, is essential.

That’s why I have been lobbying the government to ensure as much of the investment it is making as possible comes to our area.

I also convened a series of local site visits with Derbyshire County Council and the Environment Agency recently to discuss steps they are taking to protect local homes and businesses. I relayed residents’ concerns to officials – and sought assurances more will be done to clear drains, ensure surface water is well managed and waterways dredged.

There are steps we can all take, often quite easily, to make a difference. These include planting trees and hedges in our gardens, and installing a water butt if surface water is draining off roofs into sewers.

I would also like to see new developments make more use of rainwater, known as grey water, to flush toilets. This reduces pressure on our overstretched sewers.

While I trust the steps the government is taking will make a difference on flooding, and greater awareness among householders and businesses about steps they can take to manage this risk will help us be more resilient, it would be naïve to expect this issue will go away.

That’s why I continue to ensure residents experiences and concerns are heard by ministers, councils, and the Environment Agency – and use my influence to ensure public bodies are collaborating in the interests of local people.