Margaret Mullane MP welcomes Council’s decision to secure Government funding for Rainham flood study but urges the need for protection for residents.
Margaret Mullane the Member of Parliament for Dagenham and Rainham shares her monthly column in the Havering Daily.
Margaret has welcomed Havering Council’s decision to secure Government funding for a South Rainham flood study. But urges that this must lead to protections for residents.
The Council has confirmed it will accept £90,000 infunding from the Environment Agency to commission a detailed flood study focused on South Rainham. The study follows serious flooding in August 2020, when 35 homes were flooded.
Previous investigations failed to identify a single primary cause of the flooding, prompting the need for a more detailed analysis and a coordinated response between agencies.
Margaret stressed that this must be consideredalongside the ongoing environmental and health impacts at Launders Lane. Margaret emphasised that flooding and the challenges at Launders Lane represent the two defining environmental pressures in Rainham, and that both must be addressed in a coordinated and sustained way to protect public health and quality.
Margaret writes “I welcome this funding and the commitment to carry out further work in South Rainham. Residents have lived with uncertainty for too long following the flooding in the summer of 2020, and it is right that more detailed investigation happens.
However, this must be more than another report. What people want is a clear plan that delivers real protection for their homes.”
The commissioned study is expected to improve understanding of flood risk in the area and support the development of a cross-agency water management plan, bringing together partners including Havering Council, the Environment Agency, Thames Water, Network Rail and other stakeholders. This approach reflects the complexity of flood risk in South Rainham.
“Flooding in South Rainham is not caused by a single issue, and it will not be solved by a single organisation acting alone. This has to be a joined-up effort, with clear accountability and shared delivery across all partners involved.”
The MP also highlighted the wider pressures facing the borough, including the impact of climate change and the need to ensure that future development does not worsen flood risk.
“With increasing extreme weather events, we have to plan for the future as well as address the problems of the past. That means investing in sustainable drainage, improving resilience, and making sure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth.”
“This funding is a positive step, but is only the beginning. I will continue working with all relevant agencies to ensure this leads to practical measures that reduce flood risk and give residents the confidence they deserve.”
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