Recent widespread flooding across Dorset has caused havoc, clearly demonstrating that Dorset Council is woefully underprepared for Climate Change now, let alone in the future.
The UK has been on average 6% wetter over the last 30 years* and that is set to rise drastically. It’s not just average rainfall that is on the up, it is the amount of rain that falls during a single storm. Higher temperatures mean more water evaporation resulting in heavier, prolonged rain storms.
According to the UK MET Office extended periods of extreme winter rainfall are now 7 times more likely**.
“We are in a climate crisis and facing ecological collapse- as the days pass we are witnessing more and more localised extreme weather events here in the UK. The time for denial and inaction is over, Dorset Council needs to warn its constituents about the real threat they face now, as well as in the future.”
Fiona Marlow (52), Teaching Assistant
On August 6th 2021 after heavy rains and with more predicted rains coming***. Andy Smith, Weymouth resident, checked all the gullies and drains in his street and the surrounding streets to discover that nearly all of them were blocked. He registered a request via the Dorset Council website to have the drain closest to his property cleared. Over one month later despite the automated council response stating the drain had been cleared, it had not.
On September 14th 2021 following a complaint another online request was made to have the drain unblocked. This second request was acted upon within 7 days.
“Due to austerity things like road sweeping and gullie / drain clearance have been neglected, this combined with heavier rainstorms, more people tarmacing driveways and installing astroturf has resulted in an increase in surface water flooding in built up areas. People think the Climate Crisis is all about preparing for sea level rise but realistically cleaning out drains is the first step. I wonder how many homes were flooded due to Dorset Council neglecting to do a very simple task?”
“In Extinction Rebellion we are 100% accountable for our actions. If we block a road, we wait there until we are arrested and we face the consequences. Dorset Council should be accountable for their wilful ignorance. It has been 2 and a half years since Dorset Council declared a climate emergency and yet it seems the council still haven’t grasped the extent of the immediate action that needs taking.”
Andy Smith (45), Weymouth Resident, Graphic Designer and Extinction Rebellion Spokesperson
Not only are Dorset Council failing its constituents with woeful inaction, earlier in the year some councillors even actively blocked progress resulting in two Dorset councillors accusing the authority of gagging open debate in regard to the climate.****
Extinction Rebellion would like to see Dorset Council notify constituents who live on low lying, flood prone land about the risks that they face now and in the future.
“The issue is really complex, we’re building new homes on flood plains because the wealthy and property investors are buying up properties for second homes and holiday lets. The more concrete and tarmac we add onto the landscape the more surface flooding we’re going to witness. Homes in flood prone areas will be worthless in 10 years time as no one will insure them. The public are blind to the intricacies of the climate problem, because the Government and local councils are failing to tell them.”
Penny Quilter, Weymouth Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group
Dorset Council must have the Climate Crisis at the forefront of every decision it makes. As the years progress the general public will start looking for accountability and fingers will be pointed at specific councillors who will find themselves complicit in destroying people’s lives.
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