January 5, 2001 11:28: With more floods predicted this spring, a councillor has warned Kingston Council it must do more to protect vulnerable parts of the borough.

In a letter to the council Councillor Andy Hall said: Whether we are talking about adequate supplies of sandbags, rapid clearance of drains blocked with leaves or evacuation of people at risk, we need to make sure our contingency plans are reviewed and updated as necessary.

These concerns were reiterated by Liberal Democrat MP for Kingston and Surbiton, Edward Davey. Speaking about the flooding last month he said: I cannot help but feel we had a lucky escape but we might not be so lucky again.

Mr Davey was shocked to find Kingston has no permanent stock of sandbags and had to ask the Epsom and Ewell Borough Council for him to lend it their stock of 1,000. Cabinet secretary for highways, transport and the environment, Councillor David Cunningham, said: It is inappropriate to hold a supply of filled sandbags as they will rot over time.

Coun Cunningham said in his reply to Coun Halls letter that several contingency plans were being looked at by the council. There is a south west London supply of sand bags that can be called upon, and the council is looking at the possibility of contracting out the supply of sandbags should the situation arise again.

Coun Cunningham said: The experience gained over the past month in badly hit areas will certainly assist in refining our approach and ensuring we can remain confident about our ability to respond in the future.