The Prime Minister met with flood-hit residents and council bosses on Friday (February 7th) as he visited Somerset to see the ongoing effects of flooding across the county.
David Cameron met farmers and waded through flood water in Wellington boots to see the problems for himself.
He admitted there are “lessons to learn” from the situation, explaining: “One of the big ones is that the pause in dredging that took place from the late 1990s was wrong, and we need to get dredging again.”
He pledged help to those affected by floods, saying: “Clearly, people have faced a very tough time and continue to face a tough time, and that’s why we have to do everything we can to help.”
He later met Sedgemoor District Council Leader Duncan McGinty (pictured below) and Chief Executive Kerry Rickards at the council’s offices in Bridgwater where the flooding response both in the short and longer term was considered.
The meeting was also attended by local farmers, Somerset County Council, residents, the Environment Agency, Avon and Somerset Police, local councillors and Internal Drainage Board representatives.
David Cameron thanked the council for its and others partners’ response to the flooding within Somerset.
Cllr McGinty told Burnham-On-Sea.com afterwards: “We were grateful for the opportunity to host a meeting with residents from within Sedgemoor who have been affected by flooding alongside our local MP Ian Liddell-Grainger and the Prime Minister. It is crucial that the plight of residents within Sedgemoor, and across the Levels, is highlighted at a senior Government level.”
David Cameron also met with Somerset County Council Leader John Osman and gave thanks for the work in response to the devastating flooding.
Cllr Osman said: “I’m delighted that the Prime Minister recognised all the hard work and many hours that so many people have put in over the last few weeks.”
“This includes everyone from our social workers in rest centres to our highways teams busy working through the night to keep roads clears. They’ve all had a pat on the back.”
“He visited our county, saw for himself the devastation and expressed his sympathy and support for all those affected. Mr Cameron reiterated his commitment to investing in Somerset and pledged to provide as much help as needed. It was a really positive meeting and I’m thankful for him coming down.”
Pictured: PM David Cameron with farmers (top) and with Sedgemoor District Council Leader Duncan McGinty (centre) and troops (below)
