Lib Dem Environment Shadow Secretary Steve Webb MP visits flood sites in the East Riding

12.30.00pm GMT Sun 7th Sep 2008

Steve Webb MP meets local Lib Dems to discuss East Riding floods at working lunch

"I have learned a great deal from this visit," said Steve Webb MP for Northavon. "Everything possible must be done to prevent a repeat of last year's flooding in the East Riding. It was deeply saddening to see where Michael Barnett died as he tried to prevent nearby properties being flooded. He was truly a hero."

Cllr Katrin McClure gave Steve a tour of some of the flood sites on his way from Brough to Cottingham where he met local Lib Dem Councillors for a working lunch. There he learned about about the area's flooding history and the results of the review of the 2007 floods recently published by the East Riding Council.

Steve Webb at the new Victoria's Way grating in Cottingham

Later he visited the culvert at Victoria's Way, the old grating of which became choked with debris and caused severe flooding in the locality. Steve saw the new improved grating designed to allow debris to be pushed out of the way by any future rising flood water. He also met local water engineer Peter Kerr, who told him about Cottingham's waterways and their vulnerabilities.