Hull MP launches petition to upgrade local pumping station

Hull North MP Diana Johnson today joined local residents to launch a petition demanding investment in the local pumping station serving the Kingswood and Bransholme area.

After pumps at Bransholme Pumping Station broke down on 26 June, temporary pumps had to be brought in to clear the surface water flooding caused by prolonged torrential rain on 25 June. This failure, set out in Hull University's newly-published interim report on the Hull floods, meant that the flooding of many local homes was more prolonged.

Since the floods Diana has met twice with Yorkshire Water management, including once at the site of the pumping station, which is over 50 years old.

The petition, organised by Diana Johnson MP and Hull North Labour Party members, reads:

We the undersigned note that many homes in Kingswood and Bransholme were badly flooded in the extreme weather of 25 June 2007. We further note that this flooding was worsened, and lasted longer, due to the failure of the local pumping station at this crucial time.

We demand assurances from Yorkshire Water that they will keep sufficient temporary pumping capacity at the pumping station serving Kingswood and Bransholme to cope with future flooding emergencies. We further urge Yorkshire Water, in drawing up their longer term investment plans, to include a scheme of works to upgrade or rebuild this pumping station to protect local homes and businesses.

People wanting to add their name to the pumping station petition can sign it online at http://www.labouronline.org/wibs/165543/?PageId=0f8039ae-fa50-2b24-f148-da1194e6f391. Anyone wanting to help collect further names for the petition can download it from the same page of Diana's website.

Those wanting further information about the petition should call Diana's office on 01482 319135.

Diana Johnson MP said: "Even under conditions as extreme and rare as those seen on 25 June, homes and businesses in Kingswood and Bransholme should never have suffered to the degree that they did after the breakdown at the local pumping station. Never again should such a failure occur.

"We must ensure that the temporary water pumping capacity that was brought into the area is retained, and that plans are agreed by Yorkshire Water to upgrade the pumping station for the longer term.

"Obtaining a commitment on both of these points is essential for everyone living locally. Otherwise, there is a well-founded worry that obtaining insurance on an affordable basis will be more difficult for local residents.

"I want to collect as many names as possible to show the strength of feeling on this issue. The petition is not about blaming anyone for what has already happened, but it is about our shared responsibility to prepare and invest for the future.

"The needs of local residents must not be forgotten."