Cash hope for fight against flooding

Bids have been drawn up for cash from the Government to finance two schemes aimed at helping to prevent surface water compounding the repeated problems of flooding in York.

Council leader Andrew Waller has rubber-stamped the proposals to ensure work can progress if the bids to the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) are successful.

The floods of November 2000 and the summer of 2007 have intensified the need to deal with the threat of flooding in the future, and each of the schemes is vying for 100,000 in funding.

Council officials have warned that the growing threat of climate change has also escalated the need to overhaul plans to deal with flooding in the city.

Up to 2,800 properties would be given additional protection under the first project, which involves drawing up a surface water management plan.

The scheme would involve the council working alongside Yorkshire Water, the Internal Drainage Boards and the Environment Agency.

Analysis is due to be undertaken of flooding blackspots throughout the city centre.

The second scheme aims to improve drainage in the Westfield Beck area and will provide additional protection for the village of New Earswick.

The proposals will also allow development to continue in Haxby and Wigginton as well as New Earswick.

The drainage improvements are expected to cost a total of 150,000, with additional funding being sought from the Regional Flood Defence Committee.The outcome of York Council's submissions for funding is due to be announced later this month.