Major changes are needed in the way rivers are managed, an MP has warned Parliament.

Sir John Stanley called for the creation of a public register that lists people responsible for maintaining rivers.

The MP for Tonbridge and Malling believes poor maintenance of water courses contributed to the severe flooding last Christmas but finding out who was accountable was too difficult.

The Environment Agency is responsible for taking care of the River Medway, and Kent Highways for drainage and for sewerage drainage water companies.

Mr Stanley said finding out where the responsibility lies for smaller bodies of water can be complicated and time-consuming.

He believes something similar to the Land Register should be created for water courses.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said: “My proposal is radical, but my goodness, it is needed.

“I accept that it would need to be implemented over a period, but it would be an immense step forward in terms of transparency and accountability.”

Sir John also called for businesses to be protected by better flood insurance policies.

Next summer the government plans to launch the Flood Re, a scheme that would reimburse insurers for flood claims.

This covers landlords and domestic homes but not businesses, and Mr Stanley is concerned for organisations like the Tonbridge indoor bowls club and Tonbridge Juddians rugby club.

Both were seriously flooded last Christmas, and insurance companies are questioning whether they can continue to insure them.

Dan Rogerson, the Parliamentary under-secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, said the Flood Re scheme would not be suitable for business.

“Flood Re is funded by a levy on domestic insurance bills. It would not be appropriate for us to take that levy from everyone else’s domestic insurance and use it to subsidise more commercial policy.”

Sir John also took the opportunity to continue his push to secure funding for improvements to the Leigh Barrier.

Kent County Council and the Environment Agency would like to increase its storage by a third, but £11 million is needed to fund the project. KCC has pledged to pay half the cost if the government provides the rest.

Chancellor George Osborne is expected to announce whether the project will get the go-ahead in December.

Central government has pledged £370m each year for the next six years to fund flood defence projects. Funds will be released between next April and March 2021.