FLOODING WORST IN RECENT MEMORY

During the first weekend of September, some 80 properties in Parklands Ward close to the Ouseburn took in water to some extent - many of them having water in living areas. Official estimates say that the equivalent of a month's rain for a usual September fell in 36 hours.

The Ouseburn broke its banks on both sides. In addition, drains in several roads could not discharge water into the Ouseburn because it was over full and as a result many properties were flooded.

The council, with the other emergency services, has reviewed the robustness of its procedures and an interim report was considered by its executive on September 24. The report is available on the council's web site and we distributed copies to all houses known to have been affected.

Councillor John Shipley says: "It is important that the agencies - the Environment Agency, Northumbrian Water and the city council - have a detailed understanding of what happened so that remedial action can be taken wherever possible.

"For example, the Environment Agency's flood warning system did not operate correctly nor did some other communication systems."

A final report is due shortly and there will be a public meeting for all the residents affected to consider it.

"We remain deeply concerned by what happened particularly since residents had received assurances over the last two years that the flooding risk had been minimised," Councillor Shipley adds.