New joint action planned to help Peterborough residents and businesses cope with extreme weather
Action is being taken to prepare residents and businesses in Peterborough for extreme weather incidents.
Peterborough MP Andrew Pakes says that representatives of Anglian Water, Peterborough City Council and other organisations will meet to explore ways for the city to meet the challenges posed by more extreme weather.
It comes after five heatwaves during the UK’s hottest summer on record was followed by torrential downpours last week that left numerous city homes and businesses flooded and brought hazardous conditions for motorists on waterlogged roads.
Mr Pakes said: “I've been contacted by a number of businesses and residents who have hit by flooding after the intense rain.
"This isn't just the risk of surface water, it is also about blocked drains and water flooding properties.
He said: “Hotter, drier summers followed by intense rain is going to be more likely in the future so we need to be better prepared for a changing climate.
“I'll be bringing together Anglian Water, the city council and other partners in the coming weeks to look at how we prepare locally for extreme weather incidents.
“We know the future holds warmer, wetter winters, hotter, drier summers, and more extreme weather.
Mr Pakes added: “In the short-term, it is about helping people deal with any emergencies and ensuring the council and Anglian Water are working together to look after our drainage.”
Several shops were closed in and around Peterborough during a day of flooding including Aldi near Eye, the Orton Centre Co-Op and Tesco in Deeping.
In some areas, the flood waters were high enough to bring unwary motorists to halt with some roads looking more like rivers.
And Anglian Water warned localised flooding from the sudden rains would be the result of the 'first true flush' when debris is flushed through drainage systems after a prolonged dry spell.