FIONA ADDRESSES FLOODING ISSUES ON CLIMATE CHANGE (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

FIONA ADDRESSES FLOODING ISSUES ON CLIMATE CHANGE

October 20, 2006 12:00 AM

Fiona and campaigner Ken Bibby look at photographs of Redcar's current promenade and one with better flood defences

Officers at the Environment Agency have drawn up plans to tackle flooding in the River Esk catchment area fir the next 100 years.

Fiona met Colin Moore, the cheif executive of Redcar and Cleveland council, Peter Ellis, the Council's assistant director of Regeneration and Wendi Wheeler, the council's energy advisor.

The Council officials briefed Fiona on energy conservation and work done to highlight the issues.

Fiona, an energy spokesperson in the European Parliament gave a wider picture from Europe and discussed local wind energy schemes.

Local campaigners accompanied Fiona to a site where proposed sea defences would be built.

The plans from the Environment Agency have been put out to public consultation until December 15.

However, financial for the scheme has not yet been approved.

Fiona said:

"Redcar promenade is urgently in need of restoration and upgrading and it is vital that the Environment Agency approves the money for the scheme.

"The highest ever tide at this site - 6.2m - was recorded recently and residents in the area need the protection that improved sea defences at the promenade would bring.

"Rising sea levels are a consequence of global warming. It is good that Redcar and Cleveland Council sees the big picture and is very active in promoting and developing energy efficiency and renewable energy schemes.

"Everything possible needs to be done to cut carbon dioxide emissions and keep climate change under control."