More than half of drivers (55%*) said they weren't concerned
about potential flooding in their area in the week before Storm
Bert caused flooding and storm chaos across the UK, according to
a poll by The AA. In Wales, hard hit by flooding this weekend,
57% said they weren't worried about the prospect of flooding.
The survey of more than 11,000 drivers also discovered that a
third (36%) felt confident that there are sufficient flood
defences to protect local roads. In comparison, more than a fifth
(23%) have confidence in the flood defences protecting rural
roads, while half have faith that main roads (49%), ‘A roads' and
motorways will be prevented from flooding (51%).
In comparison, three in five (62%) are confident that there are
adequate flood defences in place to protect homes.
Percentage of people ‘not worried at all' at the prospect of
flooding by region;
|
Northern Ireland
|
63%
|
|
London
|
62%
|
|
Yorkshire & Humberside
|
60%
|
|
Scotland
|
60%
|
|
North East
|
60%
|
|
Wales
|
57%
|
|
North West
|
57%
|
|
South East
|
55%
|
|
West Midlands
|
51%
|
|
Eastern
|
50%
|
|
South West
|
50%
|
|
East Midlands
|
49%
|
Around 150 flood warnings remain in place across England and
Wales** following heavy rainfall from Storm Bert caused
significant damage to homes, cars and roads. The AA is advising
drivers to be careful when driving through standing
water, and to check routes before setting off to avoid
getting caught out.
Earlier this year, the Met Office warned ministers and the flood
resilience taskforce that there was an increased likelihood of
floods this autumn and winter***.
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy for The AA, said; “As we have
seen across the weekend and today, flooding can cause serious
damage and disruption.The randomness of torrential rainfall
leading to flood damage perhaps leads people to hope against hope
that they are not the next victims. However, particularly with
driving, torrential rainfall can be dangerous wherever people
travel, not just in areas prone to flooding.
“The images of severely flooded roads only serve as a reminder of
the dangers floods can cause in the moment. There are also long
term consequences of flooding, especially on local and rural
roads where the water can damage road surfaces and the
infrastructure lying underneath them.
“The priority for anyone is to remain safe, so checking your
route before setting off is key, remain wary of standing water
and leave a bigger gap than usual between yourself and the
vehicle in front. As well as not being able to judge it's depth,
often things lurking under the surface, such as huge branches and
other debris, causes vehicles to come to a halt.”
ends
NOTES TO EDITORS
* Yonder received 11,329 responses from AA members to its online
poll between the 12th to 19th November 2024. Yonder is a member
of the British Polling Council and abides by its rules.
** Live flood map - Check for
flooding - GOV.UK (check-for-flooding.service.gov.uk)
*** UK faces another autumn
and winter of flooding, Met Office warns | Flooding | The
Guardian
