A bit roomy

SIR – I recently needed a 600mm masonry drill bit, which I had to order from an internet supplier. I confidently advised my wife that she would not need to wait in for the delivery, as it would go through the letter box (Letters, December 27).

How wrong I was; it was delivered in a box measuring 60 x 45 x 20cm. Steve Vaslet Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire SIR – Some senior politicians seem happy to link the recent floods with global warming.

None mention that, under the European Water Framework Directive 2000, watercourses are to be kept in their natural state, a policy that has brought about the almost complete cessation of dredging. In order to prevent inundation, a watercourse has to be big enough to take away any water that flows into it. This simple fact has been well understood throughout recorded history. Local authorities had to ensure that watercourses were cleaned, deepened and embanked.

Surely we should, like the Dutch, ignore the European Directive and revert to the proper maintenance of our rivers.

Teresa Carradice

Carnforth, Lancashire SIR – I am intrigued by the claim that Britain has witnessed “unprecedented flooding events” in Cumbria and York in recent weeks.

I can recall similar events in the Trent valley in 1954 and 1947 (where 9,000 properties were affected). We must also remember the floods in 1875, 1852, 1824 and in 1795 where the greatest flood ever to hit the area was recorded. Then there was 1683, then 1403 and, of course, 1309. And 1141.

It would seem that climate change has been happening for longer than many would have us believe.

Dennis Nyer

Bridport, Dorset SIR – Over the last week residents in flood-threatened areas were told to listen to their local radio stations for information.

Unfortunately, such information was not always helpful. On Tuesday morning BBC Radio York announced: “The telephone exchange is flooded, landlines and mobile networks are inoperative and the internet is down: further details are on our Facebook page.”

Chris Wood

York