NEW cooling systems have been installed at Canvey’s pumps to stop them overheating in heavy rainfall.

The Environment Agency has spent £20,000 on the hi-tech systems in all 13 of the island’s pumping stations, to reduce the chances of them shorting out.

The investment follows problems with some of the pumps malfunctioning during the July floods, after control panels overheated.

They then had to be manually restarted by Environment Agency engineers.

Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris, who visited the new systems on Monday, said: “Every measure that can be put in place to help prevent a repeat of the flooding should be put in place.

“It is right the Environment Agency is looking at ways to improve the pumping system as it is a key part of the drainage network that isn’t just used in severe weather, but every time there is rainfall on the island.

“These new cooling systems are a sensible investment that, when the various works of the other flooding agencies are complete, should combine to increase the resilience of the island against flooding in the future.

“I am encouraged to see the recommendations of the Chief Scientific Advisor’s report are being implemented so quickly and all the flooding agencies are now working together more closely.”

Backup generators are also expected to be installed at the Scarhouse, Hilton and Croppenburg stations at a cost of about £30,000.

Dr Charles Beardall, the Environment Agency’s eastern region area manager, said: “Since the extreme rainfall that fell on Canvey on July 20, we’ve looked hard at how we can improve the resilience of our pumping stations.

“We’ve now installed cooling ventilation to all our stations.

“We are working closely with other agencies to make other improvements to the drainage system on Canvey.”

CASTLE Point MP Rebecca Harris told fellow MPs how her constituents still needed help to protect their homes from the dangers of flooding.

Speaking in a debate at Westminster Hall on flooding and climate change yesterday, Mrs Harris said residents needed funding similar to grants handed out to flood victims elsewhere in the country.

Mrs Harris said: “Constituents need support to proof their individual properties against flooding and the repair and renew grant is very important measure which is a sensible, successful measure brought in by this Government for victims of floodwater last winter and spring.”

People whose homes and businesses were flooded between December 1, 2013, and March 31, 2014, could apply for a Government grant of up to £5,000 through their local authority, regardless of where they lived.

Mrs Harris said: “Unfortunatelymy constituents did not get the benefit from it, because flooding events fell outside of the timescale of the grant period.

“If the grant were to be extended, to hundreds of families in my constituency, who suffered flooding in July this year and August last year, it would give them the opportunity to secure their own peace of mind and prevent further damage to their homes.

“It may also be of enormous benefit to ensure they are able to reinsure their homes with evidence that they are less at risk than they have previously been.”