Julian questions Ministers on flood defences south of York
December 7, 2017
Julian this morning asked Ministers about the resilience of flood defences, and emphasised the need to remember smaller communities south of York when drawing up flood protection plans.
In the House of Commons during questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Michael Gove, Julian said:
“Hard flood defences like the Foss Barrier and whole catchment management solutions are vital for cities like York, but it is essential that these strategies equally protect smaller communities. So can the Minister assure me that communities south of York will not be forgotten about as progress continues to develop flood management schemes?”
Responding, Therese Coffey, the Minister with responsibility for flooding, said
“I certainly can give my honourable friend that assurance. The York long-term plan will use a whole catchment approach to flood risk management. It includes upper catchment management changes which will be a key component of reducing risk to York and indeed other communities downstream, including the ones to which he refers. But I can assure him that the modelling by the Environment Agency ensures that hard flood defences in York will not impact on the communities to which he refers”.
After speaking in the Chamber, Julian said: “I was glad to hear that that the needs of communities south of York are being properly included in the Environment Agency’s flood protection strategy for our area. It is important that places like Naburn and Acaster Malbis receive the same consideration as neighbourhoods closer to the centre of our city.
As we approach Christmas, and remember the events of December 2015, it is vital that residents in and around York know work is ongoing to improve flood defences, and that the needs of all communities are being taken into account in flood protection planning”.
To watch Julian’s question, please click here
