Washout: What Yorkshire said about government floods review

THE government's 'national flood resilience review' has been met with near-universal opprobrium by campaigners and council leaders in Yorkshire's worst-hit areas.
By The Newsroom
Published 8th Sep 2016, 15:17 BST
Updated 12th Sep 2016, 17:22 BST
Rescuers wade through York during the floods.Rescuers wade through York during the floods.
Rescuers wade through York during the floods.

Here is a summary of their reaction...

York and Leeds sidelined as government takes ‘Elastoplast’ to flood defences

YP Comment: A ‘damp squib’ – flooding victims snubbed in new betrayal

Rescuers wade through York during the floods.Rescuers wade through York during the floods.
Rescuers wade through York during the floods.

Bob Deacon, chair of the Hebden Bridge Partnership

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“An opportunity has simply not been taken to assess this impact. It’s abysmal. It’s really shocking.”

Tim Swift, leader of Calderdale Council:

“We are really quite disappointed. We need time to work through the implications. We really think it’s quite limited.”

Huntingdon Road and Yearsley Crescent covered by floodwater after the River Ouse and River Foss burst their banks in York city centre, last DecemberHuntingdon Road and Yearsley Crescent covered by floodwater after the River Ouse and River Foss burst their banks in York city centre, last December
Huntingdon Road and Yearsley Crescent covered by floodwater after the River Ouse and River Foss burst their banks in York city centre, last December

Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment on York City Council:

“This resilience review has been talked up a lot - to see £12.5m for defences doesn’t seem to live up to expectations.”

Leeds Council leader Coun Judith Blake:

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“Leeds is barely mentioned in this report which really does smack of the government not taking the risk here seriously.”

The winter floods led to the flood resilience reviewThe winter floods led to the flood resilience review
The winter floods led to the flood resilience review

Dr Stephen Gibbs, chairman of the Carlisle Flood Action Group:

“The Environment Agency have a pattern - they have a flood, they have a review, then they get out the Elastoplast and hope for the best until the next flood.”

Friends of the Earth campaigner Guy Shrubsole:

“The review ducks a commitment to higher long-term investment in defences, and contains nothing on working with nature to reduce flooding.”

Rescuers wade through York during the floods.Rescuers wade through York during the floods.
Rescuers wade through York during the floods.

Fury as flood envoys scrapped by Government

Scale of county flooding damage revealed

Leeds floods video: Kirkstall Road ‘like a river - people can’t believe what they’re seeing’

South to get five times as much flood defence money as the North

Related topics:YorkshireLeedsTim Swift