Leeman Road Flood Defence Scheme Worries (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Leeman Road Flood Defence Scheme Worries

April 8, 2008 11:44 AM

Protests in 2007 for the Flood Defence Scheme in Leeman Road with local councillors, residents, and Chris Huhne MP

The Leeman Road Flood Defence Scheme, which involves rebuilding the flood banks which only just held back the 2000 floods, may be put on the back-burner by the Environment Agency. On Thursday (10th April) the Yorkshire Regional Flood Defence Committee meets to set the capital programme for the 2008/09 financial year, and the Leeman Road scheme is not part of the plan. Residents have expressed their outrage that this has happened when the Environment Agency had initially planned to have the scheme finished by June 2008.

There is a possibility that the Leeman Road Scheme could be included in 2009/10 but the Environment Agency needs to be sure that they have the £1.7 million or so capital funding in 2010/11 or 2011/12 to follow through with the work.

The total estimates of what the region needs over the next three years is £190 million and the Government is indicating that it will provide £154 million. For a scheme that is at the margins of the points scoring system it is critical for the Leeman Road scheme that this funding gap is narrowed.

Cllr Andrew Waller, who is York's representative on the Regional Flood Defence Committee said,

"As a former Leeman Road resident who was evacuated during the 2000 floods I am fully committed to making sure this essential rebuilding work takes place. The Government should be providing the resources to get on with it. I am grateful to the residents for the tremendous support in last year's petition, and I will keep residents updated when progress is made."

RECENT BACKGROUND

Nov 2000- defences almost overtopped, hundreds of households evacuated in Leeman Road area due to concerns about river defences.

Nov 2005 : Identified as being in poor condition by Environment Agency - Ouse Flood Risk Management Consultation

March 2006 : Leeman Road flood defences estimated at £1.6 million with plan for completion in June 2008

April 2006 - Government cuts £10 million from Yorkshire's flood defence grant

August 2006 - estimates for Leeman Road scheme increase to over £2 million

October 2006 - Yorkshire flood money suddenly cut by another £1.1 million as part of the national flood defence cuts of £15 million following the Rural Payments Agency crisis.

Following representation from York's Flood Defence Representative £100k is left in Environment Agency budget for planning work to continue for Leeman Road scheme.

March 2007 - drilling into earth banks to test for stability of the structure by Lincoln Street

March : Petition signed by over 500 Leeman Road residents calling for funding of the rebuilding works

April 2007 Despite protests from York's Representative the Leeman Road Scheme is shelved by Environment Agency due to lack of funds, but an emergency fund is set aside for urgent works at three sites including Leeman Road if required following drilling tests. Estimates for the cost of the scheme rise to over £2 million.

May 2007 - Environment Agency informed by Government that over the next three years will be "a real time reduction in funding". Yorkshire Flood Defence Committee responds to say that this is not acceptable.

June/July 2007 - Massive flooding in South Yorkshire, Hull, and other parts of England.

Following pressure from MPs the Government admits defeat and announces an increase of £200 million in flood defence funding by 2011 (but does not explain for another four months in which years the increases will occur).

April 2008 -Scheme has yet to re-enter the "definite" column for work to take place.