Toolmaker builds his own flood defences

[Martin CottrellParticipant @martincottrell21329]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 30/12/2015 20:15:49:

Floods and Dredging a Reality Check

An interesting insight into what is a very complex problem Neil. With so many variables to take in to account it is easy to see that flood prevention in one area will most likely increase the risk of flooding elsewhere. This, coupled with the fact that accurate prediction of where & when heavy rain is likely to fall is virtually impossible beyond a period of a few days ahead, clearly shows it is ridiculous to lay blame on the EA, other water authorities or indeed the government when flooding occurs due to previously unseen extremes of rainfall.

If these recent catastrophic levels of flooding are an indication of climate change, either natural or brought on by human activity, perhaps mankind should be looking to find ways of preventing the rain falling in such uncontrollable quantities rather than trying to deal with it once it has already arrived. Clearly a ridiculous suggestion but no more naive than thinking we can persuade governments to throw limitless amounts of cash at flood prevention schemes on the assumption that everyone will be protected from future flood risk!

Regards Martin.

[SillyOldDufferModerator @sillyoldduffer]

Whilst I don't believe the European Union to the best of all possible institutions, dare I suggest that the EWF probably isn't to blame for recent flooding or for the suffering of flood victims. I read the directive and didn't see anything obviously unreasonable in it. For instance it says:

"(13) There are diverse conditions and needs in the Community which require different specific solutions. This diversity should be taken into account in the planning and execution of measures to ensure protection and sustainable use of water in the framework of the river basin. Decisions should be taken as close as possible to the locations where water is affected or used. Priority should be given to action within the responsibility of Member States through the drawing up of programmes of measures adjusted to regional and local conditions." This is hardly a challenge to the British way of life.

What might be a problem to certain vested interests is, with my emboldening:

"(11) As set out in Article 174 of the Treaty, the Community policy on the environment is to contribute to pursuit of the objectives of preserving, protecting and improving the quality of the environment, in prudent and rational utilisation of natural resources, and to be based on the precautionary principle and on the principles that preventive action should be taken, environmental damage should, as a priority, be rectified at source and that the polluter should pay. "

"Dredging" isn't mentioned by the directive at all. Am I missing something?

[duncan webster 1Participant @duncanwebster1]

What SillyOodDuffer is missing is that there are a number of people who blame the EEC for everything, even when it has nothing to do with Brussels bureaucrats. What often happens is that Brussels puts something forward which is eminently sensible, and then our Whitehall lot (well qualified in Ancient Greek and Latin etc) gold plate it. I've read a few Brussels directives and Euro Standards in the course of my professional life and not had any problem with them. I do think though that they should keep their noses out of what are purely national issues.

Edited By duncan webster on 30/12/2015 22:44:26

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

Posted by Muzzer on 30/12/2015 20:50:30:

Chances are you won't agree with his politics but here's an overview on how we are paying for our towns to be flooded.

George is – unique?

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