TWO of the candidates hoping to become Basingstoke’s next MP have criticised the Government after it emerged that a £2million cash injection to help prevent future flooding in Buckskin will not be available until 2018.

The Government has allocated the money for a flooding prevention scheme to alleviate future flooding in the Basingstoke suburb.

A total of 87 homes were evacuated in Grampian Way, Exmoor Close, Bodmin Close, Antrim Close, Prescelly Close, Quantock Close, Sperrin Close, and Holyrood Court after February 8 when properties were hit by groundwater flooding which was contaminated with raw sewage.

The Government’s announcement of cash support was welcomed last week – but now it has emerged that the funds will not be available until 2018, and before any money is handed over, Hampshire County Council will have to meet a range of requirements.

This includes carrying out initial feasibility work to assess and refine options for reducing flood risk, and ensuring a preferred option, which is developed, is technically feasible.

In addition, the county council will have to develop a business case which will show the benefit that can be achieved from the option, and will have to secure funding from other partners.

Alan Stone, UKIP’s prospective parliamentary candidate, and Dr Paul Harvey, the Labour candidate hoping to win next May’s General Election battle in Basingstoke, have spoken out against the conditions.

Dr Harvey told The Gazette: “It is bitterly disappointing that there are so many catches to what needs to be a simple commitment to the people of Buckskin, and it is wrong to raise people’s hopes and dash them.

“We have got a responsibility to deliver a scheme and action on the ground. How can they wait four years and hope it is not going to flood?”

Mr Stone said: “Hampshire County Council should be putting money in, and work should have started in the summer.

“The appropriate funding must be found and surely reserves can be allocated for what is essentially emergency works?

“Groundwater flooding is going to be an ever-increasing issue on Basingstoke’s chalk strata. Water has to go somewhere but not into homes and businesses.”

Basingstoke MP Maria Miller and Basing-stoke North West Hampshire County Councillor Stephen Reid have said they are working on getting the cash before 2018.

Mrs Miller told The Gazette: “I think we should be getting it sooner because my worry is the coming winter months, and residents want to see progress being made.

“I have already met Liz Truss, who is Secretary of State for Environment, and I have pressed her to see if the money could be released earlier, but we must have innovative solutions.”

Cllr Reid added: “The immediate question is, is there any way that it (a scheme) could be bought forward, Hampshire funds it, and they are refunded by the Government when the funds are available?

“I have raised that at Cabinet level, and I am trying to persuade colleagues to allow it.”