Call for greater flood defences for York

A report into delivery of A19 flood alleviation works, as well as funding and design options on Fordlands Road, is to go before the executive member for the environment for approval today.

These areas were affected by severe flooding, the report notes, with residents left stranded in the past. A number of alleviation measures are proposed after more than 150 residents signed a petition calling for defence work to be completed.

Coun Keith Aspden, Lib Dem deputy leader and Coun for Fulford and Heslington, said he has welcomed the recommendations in the officers’ report and is to attend today’s meeting to make representations. But, he added, additional flood defence funding and works are needed in Fulford.

“I am pleased to see that council officers are listening to Fulford residents’ call for measures to alleviate flooding in our area,” he said. “Investment in flood defences is crucial to reducing the risk of a repeat of the chaos and disruption we experienced in the aftermath of Boxing Day 2015.

“I hope that the executive member will agree the recommendations, and I look forward to seeing progress on both the A19 works and sourcing funding and design options for Fordlands Road. I will continue to call for solutions to be found for the wider Fulford area.”

Meanwhile more natural solutions to flooding, inspired by innovative efforts in place in Pickering, are to feature at this year’s Hampton Court Flower Show.

The “gardens for a changing world” at this week’s Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) show will focus on those meeting challenges such as flooding and heavy rain.

Among those attending is Will Williams, 21, who is to highlight solutions to flooding such as those deployed at Pickering.

This Slowing the Flow scheme, which opened in 2015, uses tree planting and woody debris dams in streams to reduce the flood risk. It was widely credited with helping to save the town from the floods of Christmas 2015.