Lib Dem Cllr speaks out over Beyton Flooding

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 15th Oct 2009

Penny Otton at the Beyton underpass

The Liberal Democrat Councillor for Thedwastre South, Penny Otton, has spoken of her disappointment over the lack of support from Suffolk County Council on the flooding issue at the A14 Beyton underpass.

The councillor, who has been fighting to gain awareness for the flooding problem, was alerted to the serious situation by a worried local resident. The Beyton underpass has suffered from flooding for a number of years, which renders the road impassable, making journeys to work or school extremely difficult for those in the community.

Cllr Penny Otton said, "This is a serious problem which must be resolved, we desperately need funding to stop the flooding in Beyton, who knows what dangers this could present when the roads become icy over the winter. I set up the initial meeting with everyone concerned. We now have the Highways Agency funding £5,000, and Mid-Suffolk with £500 to help stop this problem."

"We have also been informed that the Suffolk Flood Risk Management Partnership has agreed that the problem in Beyton should be put forward as one of Suffolk's bids for the £5million fund run by DEFRA. However, this realisation of the problem by other organisations has not been mirrored by Suffolk County Council, who at the last Full Council meeting refused to help."

"Our next meeting is scheduled for the 6th of November, and whilst we are all disappointed that the Portfolio holder would not contribute any county funds, we hope that a package can now be brought together to end this serious problem."