A PLEA to parliament has come from MP Matt Rodda for the government to step up and take action over flooding in Reading.

He called for “serious and substantial action” and the need for better flood protection in Reading, Caversham and Woodley.

MPs were debating the government’s response to damage caused by the recent Storms: Ciara, Dennis, and Jorge.

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Mr Rodda said: “My heart goes out to the communities across the country who have been affected by the nightmare of flooding.

“It was striking to go down and observe the scale of the flow, and to see a mighty river like the Thames in flood. It is truly terrifying to see the force of the water coming past.”

Most recently, flooding from Storm Dennis caused huge disruption around Winnersh with roads completely shut off following the heavy rainfall.

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The area surrounding Showcase Cinema was completely flooded for days, with drivers and cyclists unable to pass the roundabout and surrounding roads or footpaths.

He explained how the climate crisis is exacerbating the risk of flooding, adding: “I think it is worth considering both the vast scale of the storms that we faced this winter, and the broader, long-term trend towards warmer, wetter winters.

“The fact that this is coupled with a drier summer does not reduce the flood risk in the winter; indeed, it increases it. We face serious prospects of increased flood risk.”

Locally, the risk of the Thames flooding, he added. “Some parts of the suburb of Caversham are actually below river level. If the Thames were to flood catastrophically in our area, we would see water spread up to half a mile from the river.”

During the debate in parliament, on March 4, MPs were calling for an independent review in how the government responded to recent flooding, funding for protection, insurance for homes and businesses, and how the climate emergency is increasing the risk of flooding.

Mr Rodda said: “Clearly, there needs to be serious and substantial action to protect the town and the surrounding area from this type of flood.

“I would like ministers and officials to put more effort into exploring the possibility of changing land use upstream, given that we have such a large catchment.”