Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness, chaired a further virtual meeting with Sir Greg Knight, MP for East Yorkshire, to continue their discussions about the economic impact to agriculture caused by flooded farmland and what solutions can be found. They were joined by farmers from both constituencies.
Also attending the meeting were representatives from the Environment Agency (EA), East Riding Council, the National Farmers Union, Yorkshire Water, the Clerk of the Beverley and North Holderness Internal Drainage Board and Carter Jonas, managing agents on behalf of the Crown Estate.
The EA updated the group on the River Hull reed removal project and the work they have been doing on improving communications with organisations and farmers. There was much discussion about the Government’s Levelling Up funding and UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which currently do not appear to support capital investment, but they may be more appropriate for small proposals to support communities and resilience to flooding.
The group looked at lessons that can be learnt from the dredging of the River Parrett in Somerset after it flooded extensively in January 2014, and they agreed that it would be useful for a member of the EA in Somerset to attend the next meeting to discuss comparisons to the River Hull.
Graham Stuart MP said, “Many thanks to the agencies and stakeholders who consistently attend these meetings and are working together to identify potential suitable and practical ways to alleviate flooding. Unfortunately, there is no quick fix for the farmers who experience flooding from the River Hull every winter, but we will continue to have these productive discussions until we have a strong and clear case to bring to the Secretary of State. I look forward to our next meeting later in the year.”
Sir Greg Knight MP, said, “It is important that we look at all options, including work that has been carried out elsewhere in the country, to see if there is an affordable and realistic way forward to reduce our local flood risk and I am grateful to all of those who have been involved in our discussions to date.”
Paul Stockhill, Area Flood and Coastal Risk Manager for Yorkshire North and East at the Environment Agency, said, “The meeting provided another fantastic opportunity to share the work that the Environment Agency and partners are doing in the area. As always, attendance was good, giving a great forum that helps connect us with communities and flood risk management organisations. Although there remain significant challenges in managing and funding flood risk assets in the area, it is great to see continued open discussions and collaboration, whilst sharing information, knowledge and learning.”
