Causeway - look to St Ives for best practice

Published: 12:58 PM April 15, 2009 Updated: 4:18 PM November 1, 2020

WE cannot be like King Canute and just ignore the risk of flooding in Godmanchester (Letters, passim). Of course there are problems with blocked road drains that cause flooding on some roads which the county council should have sorted out long ago. But th

WE cannot be like King Canute and just ignore the risk of flooding in Godmanchester (Letters, passim).

Of course there are problems with blocked road drains that cause flooding on some roads which the county council should have sorted out long ago. But there is also the risk of flooding from the river.

The lives of people in Northampton, Carlisle and Tewksbury were devastated by flooding, yet they didn't realise they were at risk until it happened. I recognise that the risk in Godmanchester may be low but, even if we haven't experienced it, we need to do something about it - it could just as easily happen here. Building a flood wall no more than 30cm high along the Causeway will not destroy the town, but it will offer us the protection we need.

Talk of filling in the Causeway is scaremongering nonsense. Yes, the Environment Agency showed it in its exhibition of options but, following feedback, has agreed to consult again on other options more in keeping with the area. And, if you read their leaflet, the Liberal Democrats certainly aren't proposing massive infilling.

You may also want to watch:

Let's consider taking up the opportunity to widen the footpath along the Causeway by two or three metres, add seating and perhaps flower beds and the like. This would give more space for families, benefiting residents and visitors alike.

There must be no more wild talk about "destroying our heritage for ever". Of course we need to preserve the view of the bridge with its reflection. It is one of the best views in the county and one of which we are rightly proud. But, with sensitive design, a widened pavement or walkway would be an attractive new feature for the town to hand on to future generations.