WEST Devon and Torridge MP John Burnett appealed directly to the deputy prime minister John Prescott in the Commons this week, asking for help in the wake of the floods.
Mr Burnett said the lives of many of his constituents were rendered 'intolerable' by repeated flooding of their homes.
'I said to the deputy prime minister that the water regulator puts repair and renewal of foul and surface water drainage as a low priority, under the guidance he gives to water companies,' said Mr Burnett.
He asked Mr Prescott if, in view of the 'hugely increased' incidence of flooding in parts of West Devon and Torridge, he would instruct the regulator to review his priorities to ensure water companies give 'top priority' to this type of work.
Mr Burnett said: 'He very much took my point, he understood it and he will speak to the water regulator and write to me at once.'
His appeal followed the deputy prime minister's statement in the House of Commons concerning the weekend storms — Mr Burnett also met the chief executive of South West Water last week to discuss flooding problems in his constituency.