Major flood consultation is launched for the Lower Aire

The Environment Agency has launched a major flood consultation for the Lower Aire catchment asking people if stretched resources should still be used to maintain flood defences in areas which provide limited or no protection to property and safeguard farmland or other land.

In West Yorkshire the affected areas include Allerton Bywater, Allerton, Newton and Fairburn Ings, Castleford and Knottingley.

A document produced for the consultation says: “Over recent years, there have been a number of major floods which have increased the demand for resources and, in the face of such challenges, we need to be sure we are getting the best value for money. This often means making difficult decisions and, in many cases, we will not be able to continue all of the work that we have historically done.

It adds: “There are a number of washlands on the lower Aire where flooding to properties is prevented by barrier banks or high ground, not the front river banks.

“However, there are also a number of barrier banks, which provide limited or no protection to property. Where banks do not provide enough benefit to justify continued investment, it would no longer be economic for us to maintain them.”

The Agency would continue to maintain defences along the river which protect properties and it says some defences could be improved - but outside contributions may be needed.

Public talks on the Agency’s Lower Aire Flood Risk Management Strategy will last twelve weeks.

It includes continued maintenance of approximately 55 kilometres of defences along the Lower Aire as far as Goole to protect properties but other banks which protect farmland, rather than property, may no longer be maintained in future.

The Environment Agency has been working on the strategy for more than two years and has already discussed various options with landowners, local authorities and community representatives within the Lower Aire catchment area.

Tim Cobb, project manager said: “What we have been told already by landowners and communities has been taken into consideration, along with the latest flood modelling data, and we have now drawn up our preferred strategic plan which we want to discuss with local people.

“However, I would like to emphasise that this is still only a draft strategy and it will not be finalised until everything we learn during the formal consultation period has been analysed and assessed.”

The Environment Agency will be holding a consultation event at the Lock Lane Sports Centre, Castleford, on Wednesday March 14, 3pm- 7pm.

Its plans include investment in new flood defences near Castleford and reducing maintenance to banks on other sections that no longer provide protection to people and property.

Floods in 2000 and 2007 affected a number of properties in the Lower Aire catchment area and highlighted what needs to be done to maintain existing defences and, where possible, improve them.

Mr Cobb added yesterday: “The proposals are specific to the Lower Aire catchment area and have not been influenced by any potential flooding issues relating to locations further upstream of the strategy study area, such as Leeds.”

The consultation documents can be downloaded from: www.environment-agency.gov.uk/homeandleisure/floods/115320.aspx

Alternatively, CDs containing the full documents, or printed copies, can be obtained by writing to: Lower Aire Strategy, Phoenix House, Global Avenue, Leeds LS11 8PG or email [email protected]

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