STROUD MP Neil Carmichael spoke in the House of Commons about the need to encourage greater agency and emergency services co-operation to tackle the flooding in the Valleys and Vale earlier this week.

During questions to the environment secretary Owen Paterson on Monday, January 6, Mr Carmichael called for a review of agency co-operation and highlighted successful examples from his Stroud constituency, including drainage work at Woodchester and sewerage at Slimbridge.

Last week, the Conservative politician visited areas which have been hit by the recent storms and flooding, including flooded sites at Elmore, on the Berkeley Vale and on the banks of the River Severn.

Speaking during his visit, Mr Carmichael said: “The recent weather has proved that we need to encourage agencies to work together to prevent future flooding as far as we possibly can.

“The flood defences on the Severn Estuary have by and large been effective, which should be borne in mind as the review of the flood defences continues.”

In the coming weeks, Mr Carmichael is due to meet with the Environment Agency’s area team and businesses in Woodchester to discuss the recent flooding and the problems which have arisen from it.

Meanwhile Geoffrey Clifton-Brown, MP for the Cotswolds, has praised the emergency services response to the recent flooding.

The Tory politician also asked the environment secretary for assurances that front line staff at the Environment Agency would be protected from any cuts so that his constituents would have the support they required during the floods.

In questions to Owen Paterson in the House of Commons on Monday, he also raised the issue of the speed at which flood maps are updated to ensure constituents could get up-to-date insurance.