ALL PARTIES involved in protecting residents from the dangers of flooding are set to take part in a public meeting at Ilford Town Hall on Friday, November 16.

Representatives from Redbridge Council, Thames Water and the Environment Agency will come together to explain what is being done to prevent a repeat of last year's flooding.

The council decided to call the 7pm meeting to improve the relationship between the community and the three bodies.

A council spokesman said: "We want to have better communication between everybody. We will listen to what people have to say."

Among those planning to have their say at the meeting is one resident from Woodford Green's flood plain. Fed up with living under the threat of more flooding, Margaret Smith, of Glastonbury Avenue, will be asking why the river has not been properly cleaned.

Mrs Smith told the Guardian: "The council should be pushing the Environment Agency to get things done. Preventative measures should be put in place.

"The Environment Agency has cut the grass on the bank and cut the tops of the reeds, but they should be clearing the bottom of the river."

Before the meeting, suppliers of flood protection products will be demonstrating devices that can help prevent water flooding homes in future deluges

Currently, responsibility for supervising flood defences on main watercourses lies with the Environment Agency.

Thames Water looks after the sewage system, which backflowed into people's houses in last year's floods and the council maintains land and highways drainage systems and helps the public in the event of an emergency.

By.Sara Dixon