Flooding from heavy rainfall has once again hit the headlines over recent weeks, this time in Somerset.

North Yorkshire is particularly prone to surface-water flooding and the issue of that flooding from the highways into combined sewer drains needs to be addressed urgently.

What lessons can be learnt from the extreme weather we have seen?

One lesson is to understand the consequences of the decision in 2004/5 to shift the emphasis in funding of flood-prevention strongly to urban, rather than rural, areas.

So a strong focus on properties in towns and cities ensued, away from rural communities and farmland.

In addition, there is no substitute for regular maintenance and dredging of rivers and watercourses, allowing those with the resources and skills to do the work.

Locally, across Thirsk, Malton and Filey – as in the Somerset Levels – internal drainage boards exist for this purpose to keep low-lying areas free from flooding.

Another lesson is to work more closely with nature as being the best way to create new flood defences.

The Pickering slow-the-flow scheme is just such a pilot project attracting national attention. Already successful, it has prevented a major flood in Pickering from upstream waters, even before the reservoir has been built.

It is exciting that similar schemes could be created in other parts of the country, possibly also benefiting those areas in Somerset and the West Country currently under water.

By creating mini-dams and bogs, this allows water to be retained naturally in times of excess rainfall, with the planting of trees and natural debris and logs to stem the flow of water in flood conditions.

Resolving the problem of flooding needs a multiple approach, as in the creation of a reservoir, SUDS (Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems) to prevent surface water tipping directly into drains. All have a role to play.

I believe ending the automatic right to connect and enacting other provisions of the 2010 Flood and Water Management Act, such as Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems, in conjunction with dredging and maintaining water courses, will be important parts of this solution.

Another effective tool would be to recognise water companies as statutory consultees in planning applications for major developments.

We have conducted a one-off Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Select Committee evidence session, focusing on the recent floods and the impact of funding cuts on the capability of our existing flood defences and flood-response agencies.

 

• On a personal note, in the last three and a half years I have focused on making my way around the new constituency of Thirsk, Malton and Filey – and I shall continue to do so.

I am not turning my back on the constituency I love and the people I have faithfully served for the last three and a half years.

As I am at liberty to apply to stand as a candidate for any constituency in the country, perhaps a positive way forward is to hold an open primary for the Conservative nomination in Thirsk, Malton and Filey for all residents to decide who their candidate should