Flooding Minister visits Buckinghamshire town as government steps up draught and flood protection efforts
Flooding Minister Emma Hardy MP was welcomed to Buckingham as part of ongoing efforts to secure better flood protection for the town and improve resilience to extreme weather events.
Buckingham, situated on the River Great Ouse, was severely affected by Storm Bert in November 2024, with dozens of homes and businesses experiencing flooding.
The town also experienced significant flooding in 2007 and 2020, proving that what were once considered "once in a generation" events can no longer be viewed as such.
Minister for Water and Flooding, Emma Hardy MP said: “It was invaluable to visit Buckingham and hear directly from residents and local organisations about their experiences of flooding and their ambitions for the future.
The visit took place during Flood Action Week and comes as the Government steps up efforts to help communities prepare for both flooding and drought.
As part of this work, a new Flood and Drought Resilience Taskforce has been established, bringing together more than 50 organisations to strengthen the country's preparedness for increasingly severe weather events.
The Government is also investing £4.2 billion in flood defences between now and 2029, with a target of protecting a further 200,000 properties across England.
Alongside this, the Government has launched Flood Action Online, a new one-stop shop providing information on flood risk, flood warnings and practical steps residents can take to protect their homes.
New Flood Performance Certificates have also been announced to help homeowners better understand the flood resilience of their properties.
During her visit, the Minister joined representatives from Flood Action 4 Buckingham (FA4B), Buckingham Town Council, Buckinghamshire Council and Buckingham Canal Society to look around key flood-affected areas of the town before taking part in a roundtable discussion on future flood prevention measures.
Since being elected in July 2024, Callum has worked closely with Flood Action 4 Buckingham, local authorities and the Environment Agency to drive forward practical action and ensure lessons are learned from previous flooding events.
That work has already led to progress locally, including river gauge repairs, drain clearance work, movement on recommendations from previous flood investigations and planned Environment Agency river maintenance. But there is still more to do to reduce flood risk and prevent a repeat of the devastating flooding experienced in 2024, which Callum discussed with the Minister during her visit.
Callum Anderson Buckingham and Bletchley MP said: "Buckingham residents know better than most the devastating impact flooding can have. I saw first-hand the damage caused across our town, including to businesses such as The Mitre, and I know many residents still worry every time heavy rain is forecast.
"That's why I was pleased to welcome Emma Hardy to Buckingham so she could hear directly from residents, community groups and local organisations about their experiences, the progress that has been made, and the work that still lies ahead."
A spokesman for Flood Action 4 Buckingham said: “It was important to tell Minister Hardy directly how flooding has affected so many of us personally in Buckingham. The challenges did not disappear when the water levels receded, and flooding continues to have a long-lasting impact on our community.
"If you live in Buckingham and have also been affected, please do get in touch with us. Our voices are stronger when we stand together.”