Canvey Island’s flood sirens are to be scrapped for good (From Echo)
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Flood warnings to be given by text message, computer or phone
12:00pm Monday 30th April 2012 in Castle Point By Jacqueline McMillan
HOPES of saving traditional flood warning sirens in Castle Point have been dashed after Essex County Council announced it would not put them back into use.
Nine flood sirens in Canvey and one in Benfleet have been thrown on the scrapheap in favour of a new digital service to warn people of any flood risks.
Residents across the borough will be sent alerts by text, e-mail and by phone in the event of any potential danger.
Campaigners have been battling to try and save the sirens over fears the new system, operated by the Environment Agency, could put countless people at risk who do not use a computer or have a mobile phone.
Arrangements were already in place for energy companies Calor Gas and Oikos, who have fuel terminals on Canvey, to foot the bill for the running costs.
However, the council has said categorically they will never be reinstalled because they are too outdated.
County councillor Ray Howard, who spearheaded a campaign, said: “I am bitterly disappointed about the news, especially after we had all worked so hard to try and keep the sirens running with the help of Calor Gas and Oikos.”
Mr Howard took a special interest in flood protection after his family home, in North Avenue, Canvey, was flooded during the 1953 North Sea flood disaster, which killed 59 people on the island.
Preparations had also been made to try and get the sirens to be run locally in Canvey fire station, rather than in Chelmsford.
The new Floodline Warning Direct Service will save the Essex County Council £36,000 a year, but council officers deny the move is being driven by efforts to cut costs.
Tracey Chapman, councillor responsible for for highways and transportation, said: “The safety of Essex residents is paramount, and we want to provide the best possible flood warning system available.
“Essex County Council reviewed the usage of the sirens in 2010 as they were coming to the end of their natural life.
“The decision to decommission the sirens was not taken in order to save money, but because of the age and effectiveness of the equipment.”
Comments(21)
My Dog is called alfie
says...
3:53pm Mon 30 Apr 12
Brunning999
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4:00pm Mon 30 Apr 12
John T Pharro
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4:20pm Mon 30 Apr 12
keithrg wrote:There was also a system where people who lived in bungalows had a two storey house to go to when an alert was sounded. I know because we were registered for a neighbour to come to us.
I think its a grave shame. They are part of canvey History I used to love it when they tested them. I think that they think it will never flood again. There used to be signs Guiding people to emergancy temp occomdation like Bastable School I cant recall seeing these signs for a long time. I know theres now two routes of canvey but I wouldnt mind betting theres at least 4 times the amount of People now.
Probably another thing that went when Canvey and Benfleet Councils were merged.
EssexBoy1968
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5:51pm Mon 30 Apr 12
4:00pm Mon 30 Apr 12
Nothing is safe with all the cuts, in reality this means if you are not familiar with modern technology 'you die'
Yes, that infernal invention of Alexander Graham Bell (the "landline" telephone) is really difficult for people to become familar with, even after more than 100 years of use worldwide! & yes, my tongue is very firmly in my cheek.
Seriously though folks, I am sure that the county & local Emergency Planning Officers have taken all factors into consideration.
Sean4u
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6:00pm Mon 30 Apr 12
We're all in this together, obviously, unless we allow our subscription to lapse and then devil take the hindmost.
Haven't they only saved 36K until they do their first test, when they have to hire someone to knock on everyone's doors to check that they saw the text message and knew that if it didn't say "test" then they would have to flee immediately? I suppose they could save 100% of the cost of a Canvey Island flood warning system every year, until it floods again.
John T Pharro
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6:05pm Mon 30 Apr 12
EssexBoy1968 wrote:Yes and the "Authorities" probably said the same thing when Canvey flooded in 1953.
Brunning999 says...
4:00pm Mon 30 Apr 12
Nothing is safe with all the cuts, in reality this means if you are not familiar with modern technology 'you die'
Yes, that infernal invention of Alexander Graham Bell (the "landline" telephone) is really difficult for people to become familar with, even after more than 100 years of use worldwide! & yes, my tongue is very firmly in my cheek.
Seriously though folks, I am sure that the county & local Emergency Planning Officers have taken all factors into consideration.
bigidiot
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7:32pm Mon 30 Apr 12
keithrg wrote:I quite agree with Keithrg, as I too remember from my childhood years when the sirens used to be tested and just how clearly they could be heard. They are just one of a few memories of yesteryears sounds that have vanished into oblivion. I fail to see what is wrong with re-instating them if two fairly large local companies are prepared to help with the running costs...
I think its a grave shame. They are part of canvey History I used to love it when they tested them. I think that they think it will never flood again. There used to be signs Guiding people to emergancy temp occomdation like Bastable School I cant recall seeing these signs for a long time. I know theres now two routes of canvey but I wouldnt mind betting theres at least 4 times the amount of People now.
Sean4u
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7:49pm Mon 30 Apr 12
"Arrangements were already in place for energy companies ... to foot the bill for the running costs"
and
"The new Floodline Warning Direct Service will save the Essex County Council £36,000 a year"
adds up. If the costs are already taken care of, why can't Essex do what they want with Siren2.0, and the energy companies foot the bill for functional conservation of the Island's heritage? Is it too late / not possible to get the sirens listed?
http://www.english-h
eritage.org.uk/profe
ssional/protection/p
rocess/online-applic
ation-form/
Greatscot1777
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9:38pm Mon 30 Apr 12
I recall them being tested in the 1960's and the fear in the faces of the old people as they clearly used to remind them of the war. So not all memories of the sirens are good, let's not mourn their passing.
Plus, let's not forget the 1953 floods killed so many due to Canvey being covered in lightly built bungalows. These days the majority of people live in substantially built houses, the highest flood water in '53 would barely reach the ground floor ceiling of modern properties. It just needs people in houses to look out for their bungalow dwelling neighbours. I am sure they will, Canvey has always been good like that.
keithrg
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10:01pm Mon 30 Apr 12
John T Pharro
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10:15am Tue 1 May 12
The decision to have them removed was by Essex County Council at a cabinet meeting.
Of all the most abused and anti democratic systems put in this cabinet method of making decisions has to be number 1. The only recourse is for other Councillors to challenge a decision made. When that happens it seems to never get overturned.
That especially happens in Castle Point Council.
metneyx
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12:22pm Tue 1 May 12
Tom from Southend
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12:55pm Tue 1 May 12
John T Pharro
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6:16pm Tue 1 May 12
Tom from Southend wrote:Thanks for your sympathy Tom. Perhaps it didn't occur to you, but many people moved to Canvey because like me they couldn't afford to live elsewhere.
Not convinced more than 50% will get off the island when the next flood hits with or without sirens. Waterside farm roundabout and Sadlers can't cope now. It is the choice of islanders to live there. I would not take the risk with my family, siren or no siren, oh and not to mention more development going up all the time.
What you are actually reading is a community which for the most part actually try to support one another.
Do you know people on Canvey actually talk to each other, even when they don't know them. Something I have never experienced in Southend.
Last Poster
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7:08pm Tue 1 May 12
Biffo-bear
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1:57pm Wed 2 May 12
mulattokid
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7:26pm Wed 2 May 12
This is Tory forced money saving. They scrapped the countries other sirens in 1994. No other country in Europe has done the same, as it in not in their peoples interest.
The cost of everything and the value of nothing!
The Cater Wood Creeper
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5:30pm Thu 3 May 12
Last Poster
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7:03pm Thu 3 May 12
Just noticed all the bad spelling in my last post above. They must have sold my spell checker as well :(
John T Pharro
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7:47pm Thu 3 May 12
The Cater Wood Creeper wrote:Dale Farm? Seriously Councillor Howard has salvaged I think 12 and is storing them on his chicken farm. He is looking to donate them and has offered one to the Bay Museum and one to The Heritage Centre.
what is the scrap value of these items and where is the money going?
keithrg says...
1:10pm Mon 30 Apr 12