Graham Stuart, MP for Beverley and Holderness today said he was delighted to hear plans to allow farmland around Leven to be used to store flood water had been dropped.
The Environment Agency (EA) had suggested one option to reduce flooding further down the River Hull would have been to create a flood water storage area at Leven Carrs.
When first proposed the plan caused anger among residents in the area. The EA then consulted with other agencies and people who lived and worked in and around the area which would have been affected.
It was this consultation which led to Tuesday’s announcement the plan had been shelved.
Graham said: “From the outset this plan did not appear to have the backing of anyone in and around the Leven area.
“I am very glad the EA has consulted with the local population – who very often have good local knowledge of flood conditions and drainage in the area – and, maybe more importantly, have taken on board what was said.”
And he added: “I have kept in close touch with the EA and the agency always said it would consult and I am delighted it has. Today’s announcement just goes to show how important it is for people in the community to make their voices heard.”
A statement from the EA said that following detailed work, including discussions with local residents and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, outline proposals to store flood water at Leven Carrs were no longer being considered by the EA.
Thomasin Meadley, the EA’s project manager for the River Hull strategy, said: “Our number one priority is to reduce the risk of flooding for people in East Yorkshire.
“We are currently developing detailed proposals for managing flood risk along the River Hull and developing a draft strategy which we will be consulting on in spring 2010.
“Using Leven Carrs as a storage area for floodwater was one option that we have been considering.
“Detailed work on the complex system of rivers and drains in the area has, however, shown that the benefits it would bring to homes and businesses are very limited.
“While the proposal would have reduced the overall area of agricultural land that floods, it does not provide the benefits the Government expects when it comes to spending taxpayer’s money and would ultimately be uneconomical.”
The EA is continuing to work closely with East Riding of Yorkshire Council, flood action and residents groups, parish councils and local landowners and is keen to ensure it continues to capture information and suggestions from as many people as possible.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the EA proposals can ring Claire Glavina on 01904 822636.
Leader of East Riding of Yorkshire Council Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE said: “The council is delighted the EA has dropped proposals for Leven Carrs which will also come as a great relief to local people after a long-running campaign.
“The EA is continuing to work on the Hull and Coastal Streams Catchment Flood Management Plan and the River Hull Flood Management Strategy and we look forward to working with them on these.”
