The worst dangers of the Fenland floods appear to have
been averted, though they may recur if there is another heavy downfall of rain or snow, as there well may be. The problem of Fen drainage has baffled experts for centuries ; the crisis this year was due to the exceptional volume of water in addition to the normal and seasonal floods. But it is perfectly possible to get flood water carried off before it bursts its bounds. Land drainage schemes have been a feature of every public works proposal ever put forward in responsible quarters. The Land Drainage Act of 193o created an authority competent to deal with precisely such a crisis as this. What is necessary, primarily, is to clear the outlet of the Great Ouse into the Wash, and that, with other works incidental, may involve an ultimate expenditure of some L5,000,000. This, as the Chairman of the Great Ouse Catchment Board pointed out in a letter to The Times this week, is far beyond the capacity of the local authorities to provide. It is by no means beyond the capacity of the Government, spread as the expenditure would be over some three or four years. So long as the Cabinet remains passive in the matter the responsibility for such disasters as are befalling and threatening the Fenland must rest on its shoulders.
* * * *
Previous page
