§ 120 and 121. Mr. H. Whiteasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) if he is aware of the new difficulties caused by subsidence in recent months to the houses in the area of Woodhouse Lane, Beighton, in the Chesterfield Rural Council, which suffered by flooding last winter; and what is being done to give protection during this coming winter;
77W(2) if he is aware of the problems that confront householders caused by flooding of the River Rother at Beighton, near Sheffield, and of the many complaints and representations made by the local authority and others to the river boards over a period of years; and what is proposed to be done by the river authorities to avoid flooding in this area.
Mr. AmoryI understand from the Yorkshire Ouse River Board, that unfortunately the flooding cannot be materially lessened unless the River Rother can be deepened and enlarged throughout its length from Beighton to Woodhouse Mill, including a substantial lowering of the river bed beneath the Beighton Viaduct which carries a main line railway. To lower the river at this point would mean extensive reconstruction works, but at the request of the River Board the British Transport Commission are considering the extent to which the bed could be lowered, and the best method of underpinning the viaduct piers. Meanwhile the Derbyshire County Council as the highway authority have, with a contribution from the River Board, carried out a substantial raising of the Rotherham Road in Beighton to alleviate flooding, and the River Board itself has a major scheme prepared for work in the vicinity of Woodhouse Mill, about one mile downstream. It is hoped that this will be put in hand in the next financial year.