More money put into flood defences across Yorkshire

EXTRA funding has been allocated to flood-prevention schemes across Yorkshire, which can now be spent on protecting those homes and businesses that are most at risk.

An extra 2.5m has been allocated to Environment Agency schemes across the region this financial year, bringing the total to 58m, compared with 55.5m in 2009/10.

Half a million pounds of extra cash is set to be put towards a 149m flood prevention project in Leeds – the largest UK inland flood defence scheme to date – which should help to protect about 4,500 homes and businesses in the city centre.

The additional funds will also benefit a 13m scheme in Wakefield, which aims to reduce flooding to more than 700 homes and businesses in the Ings Beck area.

In Hull 350,000 will be spent on providing flood protection in Burstwick, following serious flooding from Burstwick Drain in June 2007. This is part of a 3m package including improvements to defences at Hedon.

These schemes are in addition to work already under way on various projects throughout the region, such as the 10m Hull Tidal Surge Barrier, an 11.9m scheme in Swinefleet and projects in Brough and Stainforth, near Doncaster, costing 5.8m and 6.4m respectively.

Regional flood and coastal risk manager at the Environment Agency, Phil Younge, said: “The 2007 floods cost home owners, businesses, emergency services and others some 3.2bn.

“The high costs of flooding underline the importance of continued investment in reducing flood risk, particularly in face of the more frequent and heavy storms and rising sea levels that will come with climate change.”

Every year each Environment Agency region submits a bid to the national office for money to fund the work it wants to do.

Tim Cole, acting chairman of the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee, welcomed the additional funds and said: “Local authorities in Yorkshire have already demonstrated their commitment to flood reduction by agreeing a substantial rise in the flood levy.”

At a committee meeting last month it was agreed to raise 1.5m from local authorities in Yorkshire, a rise of 20 per cent.