RADIO A VITAL FLOOD WARNING – TYLER

Former North Cornwall MP, (Lord) Paul Tyler, highlighted the importance of local radio for warning people about flood risks in the House of Lords yesterday (Wednesday). 

He told Peers, ‘I was involved in the flash floods in north Cornwall on the outskirts of Boscastle on Monday 16 August 2004. I fear that the lessons from that Cornish experience were not learnt before the 2007 repeat flash floods.

‘There were four lessons in particular. The first is the vital importance of speedy public information. I strongly recommend to the Minister that he looks carefully at the role of local radio. Those of us who travel around can now make sure that we get all the traffic news immediately interrupting national programmes.

‘That would be an effective way of ensuring that people do not go into a flood area or that they can find their way out of one safely.

‘Recently, loss of life in Cornwall was prevented by the so-called extreme rainfall alert that the Environment Agency used, which made possible pre-deployment of emergency services and, as a result, people were rescued from their vehicles.’

In response the Minister, Lord Hunt of Kings Heath, said, ‘The point made by the noble Lord, Lord Tyler, about local radio is well taken, particularly in view of the experience in the example that he gave. I will make sure that that is reported to the right quarters.’

Lord Tyler also drew attention to the important issue of co-ordination of emergency services, which could be threatened by greater centralisation of their control, and the need to retain the enormously valuable expertise of helicopter aircrews.

Full speech available at: http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200809/ldhansrd/text/81217-0003.htm#08121767000382