End in sight for flooding misery

Since 2000, highways, gardens and public open spaces have been swamped on an annual basis in Filey, putting many properties at risk.

The resort also suffered devastating floods after torrential rain overloaded the sewage system, causing filth to bubble up through the drains into streets and homes.

Severe flooding in 2002 and 2007 affected over 200 properties causing respectively an estimated 3m and 6.4m damage, according to a new report.

But now following expert analysis of the flooding risks Scarborough Council leaders face a recommendation at a Cabinet meeting today

to apply to the Environment Agency for funding for defences.

The study has been developed in partnership with Filey Flood Working Group, comprising Filey Town Council, North Yorkshire County Council, the Environment Agency, Yorkshire Water, land owners and residents – led by Scarborough Council.

The scheme involves digging a huge ditch around much of Filey to keep the flood water back. Earth from excavations will be used to create a bund on the town side to further increase the height of the defences

Filey Flood Working Group chairman Coun Mike Cockerill said: "It is something we have been working towards for a long, long time.

"Unfortunately, the system has been exceedingly slow. But we have now jumped through all the hoops we hope. The report is based on a one-in-a-100 year storm which is very significant.

"Current water industry standards are one-in-a-30 year storm, so one-in-a-100 years is very significant. We can't guarantee no floods 100 per cent but this is a huge step forward."

Once the bid was submitted, and the process of awarding a contract had been completed, followed by 18 months of construction work, he believed the moat could be finished in two-and-a-half years. "Then there will be a lot of very relieved people in Filey," he added.

A number of ways to tackle the problem have already been ruled out by the consultants, including replacing the entire drainage system – which would be very expensive, and unlikely to get funding.

The scheme will also create new wildlife habitats and a footpath network – to connect with the Cleveland Way – so the whole system of defences could also become an outdoor classroom for local schools and community groups.

John Riby, the council's head of technical services, said: "The proposals are designed to minimise the risk to 223 properties which are currently known to be at risk from surface water flooding during a one-in-100 year storm in Filey."

Flooding hotspots to benefit from the protection would include west Wooldale, from Filey Field Farm to Parish Wood, east Wooldale, from Parish Wood to Church Cliff Drive, and Wharfedale, from East Lees Farm to Muston Road.

As reported by the Yorkshire Post, flooding fears have been renewed in Filey after new talks started on plans to build 300 new homes in the Muston Road flooding hotspot.

Builders have bee eyeing up the Muston Road area for years despite claims by flood-weary residents that the town neither needs nor can cope with that amount of new housing.

Mr Riby added: "Due to development proposals between Muston Road and Martins Ravine it is considered difficult to propose any suitable options at this stage for the Martins Ravine catchment.

"It will therefore be necessary for officers to work very closely with the developer to ensure that any housing development takes into account the known flood risk in this area and provides the necessary measures to address this risk."