Flood memories wanted to help new project that aims to tackle flooding in Fenland

The Flood Memories Project has been run by Cambridgeshire’s Flood Risk Management Partnership throughout October to identify potential wetspots around the county and give people more information about the scheme.

Tomorrow’s event at March Library (4.30-8pm) is the final one to be held in Fenland but memories can still be recorded online or by completing a paper survey before the end of the month for those who are unable to attend.

Tony Orgee, Cambridgeshire County Council’s Cabinet member for Economy and the Environment, said: “While we have good records of major flooding events, we need to build our local knowledge of smaller floods over recent years.

“We are interested to hear from anyone who has experienced a flood of any size, either at the address they are living at now or at previous addresses in the county. We are also keen to hear from business owners, farmers and landowners and anyone else who can help.”

Although major floods are usually well documented, the project hopes to hear about medium and small localised flooding events which may have affected one or two houses, roads, gardens, fields or business premises.

The information will contribute, along with other types of data-gathering, to helping the partnership to draw up a list of areas at risk of future flooding around the county.

A prioritised list of vulnerable sites will be crucial in helping the county appeal to the Government for adequate funding for flood management measures.

Julia Barrett, the council’s Service Director for Environment and Regulation, said: “Although we cannot address individual flooding problems as part of this project, the evidence will help us put a strong case to Government for funding to address Cambridgeshire’s flood risk challenges.”

Visit: http://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/environment/water/flood/floodmemories or call 01223 290213 to obtain a paper copy of the survey.