Village flood management not working, says MP

John Slinger MP said the flooding has been "devastating" for Wolston

Flood risk management in a village that was cut off by water is "clearly" not working, an MP says.

Much of Wolston, in Warwickshire, was hit by flooding on Monday with some locals stranded in their homes while the water subsided.

John Slinger, MP for Rugby, said he had seen how "devastating" the flooding had been.

It is almost exactly a year since the village was cut off by flood water for the first time in more than 20 years, when Storm Henk wreaked havoc.

The Environment Agency, which maintains most waterways in the UK, has been contacted for comment.

After visiting the village on Monday, Mr Slinger said the area showed "what a strong community it is, with people coming together to help one another in their time of need".

Wolston has been hit by flooding almost exactly a year after Storm Henk hit the village in 2024

"Clearly the management of the flood risk in this area it's not working properly, given that this is the second flooding incident in a year," he said.

"Some of the residents I spoke to have only moved back into their homes this summer.

"I spoke to elderly people who had been flooded, whose power was out, and for whom the offer of hot soup and drinks was hugely appreciated and needed.

"I will be taking up residents' concerns with the authorities, and hope to raise some of the issues with ministers in the House of Commons."

Villager Stacey Hesketh said she believed about 18 homes were flooded in 2024, with only one or two avoiding damage this year after flood defences were installed.

"I've lived in this area all my life and this has only just started happening and it's started happening when they're not dredging the rivers," she said.

"They're not doing the work. It's simply not good enough."