Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the effectiveness of water drainage systems in postcodes that experienced flooding as a result of Storm Desmond in 2015-2016 to prevent flooding in future severe storms.

Lead responsibility for managing surface water flood risks, including understanding the contribution of local drainage systems, lies with Lead Local Flood Authorities, in this case Cumbria and Lancashire County Councils.

Section 19 of the Flood and Water Management Act 2010 requires Lead Local Flood Authorities to investigate floods in their area.

Lancashire and Cumbria County Councils published flood investigation reports following the Storm Desmond related flooding in 2015-16. These reports cover the role of local drainage systems and include actions.

They are available on the council’s website: https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/council/performance-inspections-reviews/environmental/flood-investigation-report/.