Ok - some random thoughts as I've been out all day.
Personal Situation - I don't own but live in 'tied accommodation', i.e. it comes with the job
4 bedroomed detached modern warm place. Village has been known to flood around 18 years ago but not since then. The local river - "the run" flows pretty well and it is kept in good condition.
I don't have the option to buy or rent elsewhere. Biggest danger is actually coastal flooding which caused grief locally a few months ago but nothing in my village.The flood situation is not getting better. If anything it is getting worse. someone commented about our tax money being spent on defences. Well why not? I know the prepper in me would say "serves yourself right --- you should have prepped". (I know BP would say "Amen to that sister" bit I'm not sure BP does Amens :-)
But you've gotta have a heart. The ruthlessness of some preppers makes me want to become a left wing Guardianista ("... shivers")
I'm not convinced about NR's diatribe against southerners but I guess we have to take it with as many grains of salt to swallow it. The truth is that at present there are certain parameters when it comes to spending money on flood defences.
1. Is it economically viable? For every £1 invested they look for £8 back. Cities come first
2. How many people would be affected? Cities come first.
3. Affect on business? Cities come first.
...... and there are other parameters all of which point to money being spent on cities. Now you may very well question those parameters (as NR does in his inimitable manner :-) but that is how it is. FWIW, we should copy the Dutch and just invest and reclaim the land. (The more conservative amongst you will cringe at the possible tax implications but that is the kind of public debate we need to have)
Which brings me on to the kind of responses that I have seen in the last 72 hours. Never have I seen such faffing about raised to the levels of an art form. All of these Gold, Silver and bronze resilience groupings together with civil servants and ministers are risk averse. They are interested in covering their arses, and wondering what others might think about the decisions. IMHO only two people are emerging from this with any credibility. The Secretary of State for Defence Philip Hammond who within 15 minutes of arriving and seeing for himself, ordered large scale troops in. The only other person who has acquitted himself well, (and it pains me immensely to say this) is David Cameron who has insisted that they "pull their bloody fingers out".
Sadly my experience of UK structures leads me to believe that there is something endemically wrong with us that prevents leadership emerging that will take a strong hand.
<musing...>
At least Mussolini made the trains run on time
<end musing>
Keep well - stay dry.
Oh BTW - these are great value and excellent quality
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006X...UTF8&psc=1
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