We are currently experiencing the highest level of rainfall in east Kent since 1910, and the evidence of it is there for all to see. Whilst we have not experienced the terrible flooding seen in Somerset and the West Country, there are flood warnings in place for the Nailbourne and Little Stour between Lyminge and Stourmouth, and there is a large amount of water sitting on farmland on the Romney Marsh. The drainage ditches, pipes and watercourses designed to take water away from the flat marshlands are also getting very full. Thankfully, last weekend we received less rain than expected, but with more rainfall forecast, I have been discussing with the Environment Agency the measures they have been putting in place to protect residents and farmland from this severe weather.
On Romney Marsh, in order for the water to drain safely away from the land, it needs to be moved through the network of sewers and ditches, and this can require pumps and for the water courses to be clear. To help with the large build up of water the Environment Agency has deployed additional pumping equipment around the Marsh, and at the Jury’s Gap, Appledore , Union and Warehorne pumping stations. Extra repairs are being made to the Jesson Pumping Station where a gearbox on one of the pumps had broken, but the pumping station still remains operational.
The water levels in the ditches maintained by the Environment Agency and the Romney Marsh Internal Drainage Board across the marsh, and around Lydd in particular, are also very high at the moment. The Drainage Board and the Environment Agency work together to run a comprehensive reed cutting program to allow water to flow with maximum efficiency off of the marsh. Three years ago they also began a de-silting program to maintain current river capability. These measures along with the extra water pumps should help to move off the surplus water. Whilst we have experienced a much greater level of rainfall than normal, we should keep under constant review the management of the drainage networks on the Romney Marsh to make sure that the resources available are being used to the best possible effect. As is always the case, getting the basics right can be the best safeguard against future problems, and this includes making sure the water pumps are kept in good repair and the ditches are kept clear of a build up of reeds.
If you would like any information from the Environment Agency, or if you would like to report a problem, you can call their Floodline service on 0345 9881188, and visit their website www.environment-agency.gov.uk.
The sea defences along our coastline have held up well against the large number of storms we have witnessed this winter, and this is thanks in no small part to the £60 million invested by the Environment Agency on the new sea wall at Dymchurch. However, we must continue to work on other priority areas for sea defence, and I was pleased that the Agency confirmed last week that they will be upgrading this year the beach defences at Littlestone.