§ Andrew MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when the Environment Agency last inspected the potential for the flooding of the Purfleet Industrial Estate, Essex consequent on the surface water flow from the A13 road; and if she will make a statement. [185802]
§ Mr. Morley[holding answer 22 July 2004]: Surface water flooding through run off from roads is the responsibility of the relevant highways authority.
I understand however that the highways authority consulted the National Rivers Authority (the Environment Agency's predecessor) over proposed surface water discharges from the A13 improvements during the early 1990s. Consultation at that time would 829W have involved both specific and general technical assessments of existing surface water drainage capacities within the surrounding area. One of the options considered would have been attenuation of increased flow from the A13 improvement works.