Is it not time to think beyond the use of sandbags (Troops called into Cumbria, 26 December) and consider flood-defence systems that have worked elsewhere and have stood the test of time? We cannot just keep building higher banks and walls to keep each river within its existing narrow watercourse; the trend of increasing levels of flooding will go over the top or find a way round the side. We have the centuries-old Ouse and Nene Washes, plus a network of Fenland drains designed by Dutch engineers. Shouldn’t we ask them again for the benefit of their experience in the design of drainage systems by each river’s catchment area? Los Angeles, being an ancient delta, has concrete flash-flood drains that work well; even on film sets.
Each area’s remedy requires significant central government funding for the purchase of land and the relocation of communities from extreme locations. It’s too much to accept being flooded out three times in a month.
John Flowers
Neath, West Glamorgan
• What is the cost to each individual household in additional tax for spending on clearing up after the floods and improving flood defences, compared to any additional cost for encouraging renewable energy generation in that household’s electricity bill?
Ben Twist
Director, Creative Carbon Scotland
• Now that storms are being given names – Eva, Desmond etc – can we expect that the naming system will more truly reflect the ethnic diversity of the UK? Can we in time expect, for example, Storm Vladimir, Storm Iqbal, Storm Goodluck?
John McGill
Cambridge
• Well, at least the flooding of the “barren north”, clearly caused by global warming, may put a stop to fracking.
Eric Goodyer
Berwick upon Tweed, Northumberland
