Relief for residents as flood defence scheme completed

A wall of reinforced concrete clad in traditionally made bricks will reduce the risk of flooding to homes in Willow Grove, Pasture Terrace, and Tiger Lane, Beverley, which were inundated during the devastating floods of 2007.

The wall will capture water running off the Westwood, while Yorkshire Water has also been working to reduce the risk of flooding from sewers in the area.

East Riding Council has also bought a number of mobile high capacity pumps to further boost resilience across the borough.

Resident Les Diment said: “Considerable relief is the underlying sentiment of the residents of this area of Beverley now that an acceptable level of flood protection has been provided.

“The psychological relief to the residents will be immense during periods of heavy rains, this feeling being further reinforced now that the council has procured mobile high-volume pumps.

“These can be deployed to remove flood waters should they ever threaten to overlap the wall.”

He added: “Following the dramatic experiences of June 2007, many residents have been suffering from an underlying fear that their properties would once more be flooded whenever bad weather occurred, with the consequential loss of personal effects and the disturbing need to relocate whilst repairs were been undertaken.”

The work, which began in January, had been delayed by high ground water levels.

Coun Chris Matthews, the council’s portfolio holder for infrastructure, highways and emergency planning, said: “The council is committed to doing all it can to reduce the risk of flooding across the East Riding and continues to invest in a range of schemes to provide our residents with a bit more peace of mind.

“I would like to commend the efforts of our local contractor, PBS Construction, who have overcome some real difficulties with regards to poor weather to deliver this important scheme which will help protect dozens of properties.

“The benefits of the Pasture Terrace flood alleviation scheme are not just in reducing flood risk but also in the safeguarding of jobs in the construction industry which supports the local economy.”