Bid to manage flood risk in historic city of York

York has experienced a number of problems with major floods in 1982 and 2000 and in recent years severe storms have led to flooding all of which can cause significant disruption to travel, properties and businesses.

Flood defences protect the vast majority of sites from major deluges on the River Ouse and River Foss and their tributaries but further work is needed to ensure they remain effective following climate change. The Government has asked councils to produce reports looking at and monitoring flood risks and public talks are now being held on York’s plan.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council’s cabinet member for environmental services, planning and sustainability, said: “This strategy is an important next step in planning how we can address flood risk in York.

“It highlights the challenge the council and its partners, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water and the local Internal Drainage Boards face, but also the need for significantly more investment at a national level to help tackle this issue.”

Long term investment of more than £25m is needed to secure necessary improvements and the blueprint urges working with others to secure this cash.

It proposes a number of measures and estimated costs, such as working with others to help prevent surface water flooding. One way of addressing this is to ensure new developments address all aspects of flood risk and surface water flows are managed and controlled.

It wants to ensure planning applications consider flooding risk and drainage and watercourses are maintained to reduce risk when deluges happen.

Also identified are several schemes to improve defences along the River Ouse and River Foss such as upgrades to the Foss Barrier pumps, renovation to flood gates and improvements to existing flood banks.

In April 2014, York submitted a bid to the Environment Agency and Defra for funding to improve York’s flood defences.

The development of the blueprint follows severe floods in 2007 across the UK, including York, which affected over 55,000 homes and businesses causing over £3bn worth of damage across the UK. The Government now requires flood risks to be identified and managed at a local level.

The blueprint will help the authorities to better understand flood risk from all sources in York and reduce its likelihood and impact on residents and visitors.

Working with partners York Council has created a draft blueprint which has now gone out to consultation until December 17. Details can be found at: www.york.gov.uk/consultations

A questionnaire is available to complete online from this week. Paper copies are available from libraries and Explore Centres across York. To read the blueprint visit: www.york.gov.uk/floodriskstrategy