Vince Cable

Residents have been alarmed to receive warnings from the Environment Agency that their property is "at risk of flooding" (though there has been no earlier indication that there is any risk; nor is it indicated on the Agency's website). Moreover they have been told that they must make themselves contactable 24 hours a day and must register with an agency called Floodline Warnings Direct or "leave their home at risk". The leaflets have been distributed throughout Twickenham including in areas where flooding has never been experienced.

Vincent Cable MP said: "I have had some residents approaching me who were very alarmed by the draconian and officious tone of the communication from the Environment Agency. It is not made clear that the flood risk affecting most parts of our area, while finite, is very small indeed. It is just about conceivable that the Crane and Duke of Northumberland Rivers could massively overflow to coincide with serious flooding of the Thames but, with the Thames Barrier in operation it is difficult to imagine how this scenario could occur. Yet the tone of the letter suggests that residents are in imminent danger."