Flood boards at Monktonmead Brook on the Isle of Wight have been removed by the Environment Agency, which claims the risk of flooding ‘could actually increase’ if they were left in place.

Questions were raised about the effectiveness of the £5 million flood defences at Monktonmead in Ryde after the floodgates were breached on Wednesday (October 25), causing major flooding nearby.

The flood defence scheme was completed in 2019 to reduce the risk of flooding to more than 300 homes and businesses in Ryde.

Some flood defence boards were in place on Wednesday morning, but not to capacity.

Isle of Wight County Press: Flooded Simeon Street Recreation Ground in Ryde on Wednesday eveningFlooded Simeon Street Recreation Ground in Ryde on Wednesday evening (Image: Gavin Hackshaw)

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, called for an urgent review yesterday (Thursday, October 26), suggesting the Environment Agency’s response was ‘inadequate’ and that the ‘failings led to unnecessary damage and disruption’.

A spokesperson for the Environment Agency said it would review whether additional flood boards ‘would have reduced flooding’ at Monktonmead, given the volume of water and speed that levels rose, and whether it could have ‘responded differently given the circumstances’.

Today (Friday, October 27), the Environment Agency has confirmed that flood boards at Monktonmead have been removed but will reinstated if Simeon Street Recreation Ground ‘is needed to store excess water’.

Isle of Wight County Press: Flooding at Simeon Street RecFlooding at Simeon Street Rec (Image: Ken Oatley)

A spokesperson said: “Leaving the boards in place could actually increase the risk of flooding as they would restrict water from entering the brook via the recreation ground. 

“We are monitoring weather conditions around the clock and will respond to protect communities as appropriate.”

  • To check your flood risk, head to www.gov.uk/flood or call Floodline on 0345 988 1188, or follow @EnvAgencySE on X, formally Twitter, for the latest updates.

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