Extreme weather protection plan to be drawn up for Peterborough
An appeal has been made for Peterborough residents and businesses to share their experiences of the extreme heat and flooding during the UK's record hottest summer.
Details of the difficulties that residents and employers faced during the summer and in previous years will be used to help council chiefs prepare for future extreme weather events.
The plea for people to share their experiences comes from Peterborough City Council which is drawing up a Climate Adaptation Plan to assess the city’s vulnerabilities and outline a strategic approach to improving resilience.
A special form can be filled in by visiting the council’s website at Peterborough Climate Adaptation Plan Consultation.
A council spokesperson said: “Peterborough is expected to face continuing impacts from climate-related hazards and the authority is actively working to help protect residents, businesses, buildings and infrastructure.
The new plan will set out a vision for a resilient city, with actions including enhancing green infrastructure, highlighting weather risks to residents, using sustainable drainage systems to better manage flood water, protecting vulnerable residents during extreme weather, and ensuring future development is designed to cope with a changing climate.
The consultation will run until October 19 and has been paid through the Shared Prosperity Fund.
A series of short videos and online polls focusing on extreme weather will also be released throughout the consultation, helping residents learn more about the impacts of extreme weather and share their views.
Councillor Wiggin, the council’s cabinet member for environment said: "Many people across Peterborough have experienced flooding, heat stress or drought in recent years and just this summer we have had an extended drought followed by widespread flooding. As a council, we are fully committed to helping protect residents now and in future.
"By taking part in this consultation and sharing your experiences, you'll help us better understand local challenges and opportunities to build a more resilient city.
"I would urge everyone to complete our survey to highlight local groups doing great work, suggest who we should be speaking to, and tell us which adaptation measures matter most to you.
"Your feedback will be vitally important."
The plan will recommend actions to be taken protect against the impact of climate events.