§ 33. Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that surface water from the new motorway is likely seriously to increase the danger of flooding to farms alongside the River Severn between Gloucester and Berkeley; and what additional works he will authorise to obviate this flooding.
§ Mr. HoyI understand that the consultant engineers for the Ministry of Transport have still to submit to the Severn River Board their drainage proposals for the Gloucester to Berkeley motorway. When they have, the Board will take steps to arrange for consultation with any local drainage authorities affected to ensure that adequate drainage arrangements are made. As a result, I do not expect the motorway to lead to any increase in the danger of flooding to farms.
§ 34. Mr. Kershawasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that, in spite of recent works, the rhines in the Epney area of Gloucestershire are not adequate to prevent serious flooding, even though the season has been unusually dry, and that this is causing serious loss to 283W farmers and inconvenience to all; and what steps he will propose to remedy the situation.
§ Mr. HoyFlooding may occur when abnormally high water levels in the River Severn prevent discharge through the gravity outfall of the Epney Rhine. The general situation could be remedied by a pumping station. This is a matter for the South Gloucestershire Internal Drainage Board. Up to now they have not felt justified in putting forward a pumping scheme. If they do decide to do so, we will, of course, examine it sympathetically.