Questions are being asked about the effectiveness of the £5 million flood defences at Monktonmead in Ryde after the flood gates were breached yesterday, causing flooding to nearby homes and businesses.

The scheme was completed in 2019 to reduce the risk of flood to more than 300 properties in Ryde.

Some flood defence boards were in place yesterday morning (Wednesday), but not to capacity.

Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely said the Environment Agency were "unable" to put additional boards in, later in the day.

Cllr Phil Jordan, leader of the Isle of Wight Council, has now called for an urgent review.

He told the County Press yesterday: "For those affected directly by the flooding it is a traumatic and disturbing time.  

"My concerns are for the health and safety of those so badly affected.

"We are working hard with the Environment Agency who are the lead government authority in the UK for flooding.  

"Much of the issues of flooding lie beyond the authority of the council and we will seek good partnership working with other key agencies to address the overall problems we face.

“I am informed that failure to close the Simeon Park gates in good time has added to the problem of flooding in and around the Strand and Monktonmead.  

"We are pressing the Environment Agency for straight answers as this simple flood prevention action falls under their operational remit.”

Cllr Jordan has said today: "“It is obvious the response to some of these incidents was inadequate and there were failings in the response to some of the flooding.

“These failings led to unnecessary damage and disruption.

“I am calling for an urgent review of what happened to make sure the risk of such problems is minimised when we next experience heavy rain, which is, unfortunately, something we know will happen.

“This review will be in addition to any of the normal formal reviews that are triggered by such occurrences."

Mr Seely said: "In reaction to the flooding around Monktonmead, the Environment Agency say that their flood defence boards were put in place in the early hours of the morning. They tried to put in additional boards later in the morning but were unable to do so.

"They say that in parts of the Island about 90mm of rain fell, with Ryde having about 80mm, so more than a month in a day.

"They tell me they will conduct a review to see how the defences worked. More boards might have been held back, but they argue it’s unclear if it would have made a difference."

The County Press has contacted the Environment Agency for comment.

Yesterday, they told us: “Our current priority is our emergency response and we are working with the emergency services to protect the community.

"We will review our response to this latest flood once we are out of this incident."

UPDATE: Environment Agency responds to criticism