NEWS ON FLOOD DEFENCE WELCOMED BY KEETCH

11.20.00am GMT Sat 6th Aug 2005

Paul Keetch, Lib Dem MP for Hereford, has welcomed recent news that he and others have campaigned so hard for regarding flood defence in Hereford city.

The official agreement has been made between Eign Enterprises and ASDA over the site. In the last few weeks work has started to clear the site for the ASDA development with the demolition of 'The Greyhound Dog'.

Additional good news has also been received from DEFRA who have at last given the go ahead for the flood defence scheme on the Belmont side of the Wye.

"This is all very important news and demonstrates that we can achieve real benefits for the people of Herefordshire by combining initiatives of private enterprise, like ASDA and Eign Enterprises, with approaches to Government and its agencies, like DEFRA and the Environment Agency," Mr Keetch stated.

"We must not forget the tremendous efforts of the Flood Defence Campaigners, who worked so hard and will witness in the near future a scheme that I understand is now in the design stages on the Belmont side of the Wye, and individuals like Stuart Thomas who, as Chair of the Hereford Flood Defence Committee, worked doggedly to ensure a scheme would be secured.

"However, we must now work on to ensure that a solution is found for the Greyfriars side of the river to safeguard those residents and their property," the MP added.