Given the unprecedented rainfall over the last few weeks, is Bradford safe from flooding? That’s the question Bradford West MP George Galloway has asked the local council.

In a letter to Bradford MDC chief executive Tony Reeves the MP inquires whether a district-wide survey of properties and the drainage and sewage systems has been undertaken to see if they can cope. “There is also the issue of the capacities of the reservoirs across the district and whether they can deal with the sustained levels of future rainfall,” Galloway said.

He continued, “I’ve just put in a parliamentary motion about building on flood plains. Around one in ten new houses built in England today is on a flood plain and it’s clear that planners’ assurances that systems are in place to deal with potential flooding just isn’t true. I’m arguing that councils and planners who give such permissions should be legally liable if floods occur and damage these properties. So I am also asking Reeves for an assurance that if there are spots in the council area deemed to be at risk then planning permission is never granted.”

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Further information: Ron McKay on 07980 675998