Water firm urged to be transparent

Residents have been demanding answers since the floods of July 2012, which affected 300 homes in Goole and caused internal flooding in at least 30, after the town’s Carr Lane pumping station was knocked out of action.

The pumping station temporarily failed in August 2011 when another deluge caused widespread flooding.

The firm has invested £3.6m in increasing pumping capacity at Carr Lane, but councillors suspect they need to tackle the town’s Victorian sewerage infrastructure too.

It follows the publication of a report by East Riding Council into the flooding which councillors will consider next week.

The council has recommended that if a study into drainage carried out by Yorkshire Water finds “capacity issues” the firm should find the funding to make improvements. Other recommendations include a scheme being developed to improve capacity for properties in Atlee Drive, Churchill Walk and Kennedy Drive.

The firm said it would present its findings to councillors at the meeting next Wednesday.

Goole councillor Keith Moore said: “If Yorkshire Water were acting in the spirit that they keep saying they are their study would have been released in advance of the meeting so people would be able to read and digest it and be in a better position to scrutinise them.”

In a statement, the firm said: “We are looking forward to the next phase of partnership working, integrating our sewer model with the council’s study to provide a fuller understanding of the risks and mitigation for the community.”