Flood work cuts ‘reckless gamble’

But Floods Minister Richard Benyon insisted the figures were only so bleak for the region because big sums have already been invested in schemes which have been completed in recent years – and suggested a slimmed-down version of a scheme to protect Leeds could yet go ahead.

Mr Benyon faced a crescendo of criticism yesterday over the cuts which have led to three Yorkshire schemes being shelved as MPs warned axing them would leave the region vulnerable to millions of pounds of damage.

But he offered hope the project which could help to protect thousands of homes and businesses in central Leeds could be revived if it were cut down from a “Rolls Royce” version to a more affordable “family car” scheme and offered to meet MPs and flood defence officials to discuss how it could be revised to give it hope of being built.

Mr Benyon was quizzed by MPs after the Government confirmed cuts in flood defence spending next year, although there was a fierce battle over the figures. The Government said the average total spend on flood risk management would fall from £590m over the past four years to £540m over the next four.

But the picture for capital spending on flood defences is bleaker, with a cut from £354m in 2010/11 to £259m in 2011/12 – down 27 per cent in cash terms.

The Environment Agency has admitted that Yorkshire would be hardest hit, with capital investment of £16.9m for the next financial year, a 41 per cent cut from this year’s £28.7m.

“Yorkshire has received a smaller settlement in 2011/12 than in previous years,” said Mr Benyon. “This is because a large number of flood defence projects have recently been completed in the region.”

The cut means the £190m Leeds flood defence scheme – which would be built along a 19km (11.8 mile) stretch of the River Aire and help to protect 3,500 homes and businesses – is on hold, along with planned work in Thirsk and York.

Leeds North East Labour MP Fabian Hamilton warned that not building the Leeds scheme left the region’s economic heart vulnerable to half a billion pounds worth of damage, while Leeds East Labour MP George Mudie admitted the scheme was drawn up in “better times” and could be re-designed more efficiently.

Mr Benyon said: “I think what we’re at risk of having here is a Rolls Royce where a reasonably priced family car might serve some of the purposes. I can’t get into more details but I do want to look very closely at it to make sure we can get a result here.”

York Central Labour MP Hugh Bayley urged Ministers to work to resurrect planned defences for the Leeman Road area of the city and said it “doesn’t make sense” to be cutting spending when the risk of flooding is on the increase.

The Government said that despite the cuts, 39 schemes to build new defences or upgrade existing ones would go ahead across the country over the next year which will provide protection against flooding to more than 13,000 extra households.

But Shadow Environment Secretary Mary Creagh, MP for Wakefield, said: “The Tory-led Government are taking a reckless gamble with people’s homes and businesses by cutting the flood defence budget by 27 per cent in cash terms.

“We know that Leeds has lost out and people across the country face an uncertain future as they wait till next year to hear if their schemes will proceed or be cancelled.”