Flooding Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Jeremy Browne
Main Page: Jeremy Browne (Liberal Democrat - Taunton Deane)Department Debates - View all Jeremy Browne's debates with the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
(10 years, 8 months ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr Pickles
No, the hon. Member for Vale of Clwyd (Chris Ruane) has first dibs, and then I will give way again.
Mr Pickles
I will come to that point towards the end of my speech. If the hon. Gentleman is not happy with my remarks, I will give way to him again.
Mr Jeremy Browne
The Secretary of State talked about the long-term task of clearing up after the floods. Is he able to provide some reassurance to my constituents that the A361, which is the principal road from Taunton into the middle of Somerset, will be passable once the floodwater has receded? Many of my constituents are nervous that even when the water has dissipated, the state of the road will mean that they are not allowed to travel along it.
Mr Pickles
We have put in some additional money ready for those precise circumstances. One of our concerns was about the riverbanks. Having looked carefully at the situation, and having had people in from the Netherlands to look at it, it seems as though they are in a very good condition. As for the condition of the road, as the hon. Gentleman will recognise, when it has been submerged for some time, the problem is not just potholes but the surface rising. We will be looking at that, because it is clearly of national importance to see it back in operation as quickly as possible.