Plan to protect Rainham from floods set in motion

The heavy rainfall caused flooding in the area last summer (credit: Ian Richardson)

No new building in South Havering will go ahead without a full assessment of the flood risks, in an attempt to learn lessons from the floods in Rainham last year.

Residents were flooded to knee-level and told to seek refuge on the first floor of their properties last August.

Many were helped to safety using specialist equipment as firefighters battled to stem the rising water.

MP Jon Cruddas has said he is co-ordinating with the Council, Thames Water, Environment Agency and Network Rail to make sure that does not happen again.

He held a “productive first meeting” with senior figures from the organisations earlier this month and said he will be following up to make sure progress is made.

The Labour MP addded: “It’s essential that no new developments take place in the south of Havering without the full assessment of potential flood risks and that flood mitigation work is included so that the existing community is not impacted.”

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