THE report by Sir Michael Pitt following his review of the country's summer floods (Echo, Dec 18) is to be welcomed.

I contacted both Sedgefield borough and Durham county councils recently about the need to ensure that our road drains are in working order. The silt needs to be cleaned out of becks on a regular basis. Also, houses should not be built on flood plains or any high flood-risk area.

I have received positive responses from both councils and I stress that preventative work must be given a high funding priority. This may spare residents the trauma of being flooded.

In addition, money spent on prevention may be minute compared to the cost of the aftermath of flooding.

Councillor Ben Ord, Liberal Democrat, Sedgefield Borough Council.