Angry Somerset residents round on Owen Paterson during flood visit
http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/456383/Angry-Somerset-residents-round-on-Owen-Paterson-during-flood-visit
ENVIRONMENT Secretary Owen Paterson was criticised by furious residents as he visited the flood-hit Somerset Levels today - without even a pair of wellies.
By: Jane MathewsPublished: Mon, January 27, 2014
Locals from the area accused him of a "publicity stunt" while they were living in "third world" conditions - with "overflowing" septic tanks and water in their homes.
Mr Paterson, who arrived in a suit and shoes and had a police escort to the pumping station, was accused of using the visit as a photo opportunity.
Glen Ward's house in Thorney was one of almost half the homes in the village which were flooded three weeks ago.
The 58-year-old said: "We have all been really good humoured about it all but Owen Paterson's visit to the area, when he has not even got a pair of wellies on, is a major irritation.
"No doubt all the cameras are there and he can jump in a canoe and have pictures taken of him."
Gemma Richards, 32, from Bridgwater, demanded a resignation from Mr Paterson.
Her grandfather Walter's home is flooded for the second time in as many years, forcing the 85-year-old to take refuge with family.
She said: "It is appalling. He has only just got things back together after his home was flooded last year. He had to move all his furniture by himself at 85.
"I think Paterson should resign and I think he is a coward. Instead of ploughing money into a badger cull that nobody wanted he should have spent money on dredging rivers."
Tens of thousands of acres of the Levels are under water with the Rivers Tone and Parrett too choked with silt to drain the area effectively.
Official estimates now suggest it will be five weeks or more before the floods can be cleared.
There are still 100 people in the village of Mulchelney who have been cut off from the rest of Somerset for three weeks, with road links severed and surrounding fields under 3ft of water.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue has been ferrying supplies across a mile of fields and boats have been laid on to enable villages to reach schools, jobs and shops.
And there appeared to be no let-up on the horizon, as another day of rain hit Hampshire, Dorset and Somerset today.
The Met office said these regions remained at a medium risk of flooding.
Meanwhile, snow was set to fall across high ground throughout the UK today, particularly across Wales, Scotland and northern England, with some hail storms and thunder predicted.
Temperatures will fall to around freezing, resulting in a risk of icy stretches on roads and the potential for travel disruption, the Met Office added.
The Environment Agency has issued more than 140 flood alerts and 10 more serious flood warnings in the south west, which mean flooding is expected and immediate action is required.
Temperatures are set to plunge this week, with bookmakers slashing the odds of the UK record low temperature of -27.2C being broken this year from 20-1 to 10-1.
