At least twice a year,                Mr Marshall, spokesperson for the Environment Agency, makes the claim  that Northampton “has the best flood protection in the Country” and “is protected against a 1 in 200 year flood event”.  And yet it will be obvious to most residents that, every year, we have several unexpected floods.  Each time a flood happens, the Environment Agency claim it was caused by “unexpected heavy rainfall” or an “exceptional event”.  So how, we ask, do we benefit from having the protection from a “1 in 200 year event?”
            The claims made by the EA are based upon their computer model and tend to overlook the evidence of actual experience.  From correspondence with the EA, we have discovered that the peak flow history of the River Nene dating back as far as 1947 was somehow ‘mislaid’ by the Agency.  In 1983, the Agency commissioned a new theoretical calculation, which is still used today as the basis for their computer modeling.  Professor Steve Jones (University College London) states “Given the power of modern computers, are we not in danger of being too impressed with what emerges, without noticing what is assumed?”  “Not much has changed, evolutionists, ecologists, economists, and even meteorologists - all make confident statements based on little more than guesswork and a computer terminal.”
            The articles in this edition focus upon the dire effect that the Environment Agency  - and their computers - are having upon the safety of the Northampton community today and for the future..

The “state of the art” Sustainable Urban Drainage System at Upton flooded recently; English Partnerships say it was “Normal”

After the floods of 2007, which claimed 13 lives and devastated parts of the country, Sir Michael Pitt was asked to carry out a review of the country's flood defences.
His full report, contains 92 proposals he says must be implemented if communities are to be better protected. In particular, Pitt cites the responsibility of Local Authorities: “which must take a stronger overall lead on flooding in their area”.  They should “draw up definitive electronic maps of all drainage ditches and streams, making clear who is responsible for maintaining them - these should be drawn up by local authorities.”  John Goodall and Cllr. David Hugheston-Roberts discovered an essential pumping station in
St. James that is disabled by years of Council neglect.