Majority of Gazette readers want more money to be spent on flood defences

Around this time of year, Tyne and Wear receives regular flood warnings from GOV.UK – this is usually due to heavy rain fall which can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage to homes and businesses.

We asked in our recent online poll: “Does more money need to be spent on flood defences?”

More than 500 Gazette readers took part and 86% agreed that more money should be spent on flood defences while, 14% disagreed.

Dany Maiden said: “We need more money spent on all ours services.”

David A Turnbull said: “We would not need money spent of flood defences if the planners thought it through before building new homes without adequate drainage.”

Rob Mackins said: “We wouldn’t the money be better spent in stopping global warming and how this is impacting on our extreme weather?”

Kay Mclachlan said: “Rivers need to be dredged like they used to be so they are less likely to burst their banks.”

David Horn said: “I’m not sure if this was mentioned but they keep building on green belt land.”

Helen Egan said: “If you shore up one area the problem moves to the next unprotected area!

“This should be foreseeable and preventable, I can’t imagine what families go through when this happens,

“Not everyone has another place to live or resources to until their property is livable again.”