Flood line.

[cromwell]

There is a very interesting article in the Daily Telegraph today.
Amongst other things, it states that in 2013 the Environment Agency spent £20.3 million on dredging rivers and repairing culverts under roads and properties. In the same year it spent £17.9 million on travel and subsistence!!
Not enough money to dredge the rivers? They've spent almost as much on travel and expenses as they have on dredging rivers!
They also have a total budget of £1.2 billion!
Also in 2011 the EA spent half a million on flights, including dozens of business and first class tickets.
As for the smug Lord Smith, he gets paid £97,000 for a three day week and holds ten other paid and unpaid jobs.
Imo he and a lot of his quangocrat mates ought to be in jail.

[Workingman]

It would be interesting to learn what specific qualifications Lord Smug and his other board members hold in order to allow them to run agencies such as the EA. In his interviews his inability to grasp what is being asked appeared to be one.

I watched the BBC's science editor, David Shukman, explaining Lord Smug's point about dregdging - I guess Smug could't do it. Apparently if you dredge one bit of a river another choke point is created downstream. It was the perfectly reasonable and pat answer. He wasn't asked about what would happen if the new choke point was dredged, or the one after.... He also was not asked about the effects and problems man-made choke points (flood defences) had upstream, such as those in York causing problems on the river Ouse up through Linton and on to Boroughbridge some years back.

[Kaz]

They are going to start lynching Patterson, Smith and their ilk down here in the West Country if they're not careful!! There is so much bad feeling, and a sense of utter betrayal...............................

[Aggers]

I don't know what has gone wrong with society during the thirty years since I retired,
but there appears to be no morals, no personal commitment or ability, and very little
honesty manifest in today's Government officials, or in industry or the business world.

What has brought about this change in attitudes, and the apparent lack of discipline?

The future doesn't look very bright, does it? I feel so sorry for the youngsters of today.

[cromwell]

Lord Smith is showing his face in Somerset tomorrow. Could be interesting!

[KateLMead]

I don't think things have ever been much different Aggers! We are a gullible nation!!!

[KateLMead]

Apart from robbing desperate families, and people who phone flood line for help, "Nothing" has been done to help these individuals, families and farmers who stand to lose their livelihoods homes, animals and in some cases risking their lives.
The fact that disease is likely to spread has become a secondary concern not even mentioned.
We have not seen any support coming our way from the EU, and little help from government.
Where is the Army, those thrown on the scrap heap? I am sure if they were paid a decent wage
They would come to the aid of our desperate farmers and households.
Quite frankly when the useless waste of space another "Lordie" Smith!!!visits these abandoned villages
Today, I would give him a good ducking. As the farmer said they have had no help and do not expect any.
130m being given to help shore up and rebuild, it's nothing an insult!!!
We learn a number of marines are going in today.. Raise the Union Flag. Prince Charles put his
Hand in his pocket and has donated, time these useless, inept money grabbers like Smith and the rest of these chancer's
In and now out of a Government like B'Liar, donated some of the millions they have pocketed, remember he was the man who couldn't afford to pay his mortgage when in government!! Am I right when I state that Smith is paid a massive salary
For working just three days a week, and is a Director of ten other companies?
Cameron cannot be held responsible for the weather, or solely the neglect of maintenance to sea walls, flood defences etc, the areas have been neglected by every government when in power. Sadly those in power at the time when these catastrophes occurs are the ones to take the flack. The environment agency like these other Quango 's are "Not Fit For Purpose"

[Kaz]

Prince Charles has gained my respect this week - thank goodness somebody 'Establishment' said what needed saying!!

[cruiser2]

Just seen Lord smug being interviewed about the flooding. He said the first priority was to prevent flooding in London, the second in other urban and industrial areas, and finally farming and rural areas. Yet farming is one f the oldest industries.
He should be made to stay in one of the flooded houses until they are back to normal so that he could personally experience the problems.

[saundra]

he made my blood boil
hes on 100.000 a year on a 3 day week
like kate said stop all overseas aid and get: this country back on its feet
hope somebody starts a petirion or something
he would have got lynched if he had gone to speek to real people
see cammeron is there now
and this flooding is spreading across the country very very mad