PLANS to abandon flood defences around the rivers Hull and Humber are
expected to be attacked in Parliament tomorrow.
Beverley and Holderness MP Graham Stuart has secured a 30-minute debate
in the House of Commons on flood risk management strategies, which could
see 2,000 homes left to the mercy of the elements.
The Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy was adopted earlier this year
by the Government and outlines how it intends to deal with the threat of
flooding in the East Riding for the next 25 years and beyond.
The document states that once the existing flood defences have been
broken, probably in 20 or 30 years time, maintenance will be withdrawn
and 2,000 homes around the Humber Estuary will be abandoned, including
1,000 in the East Riding.
The River Hull Flood Risk Management Strategy is being finalised by the
Environment Agency and says "it may not be cost-effective to improve
existing flood defences along the river in the future".
The Agency is also reviewing the viability of the area's pumping
stations and may create a flood storage area at Leven Carrs.
Mr Stuart is leading a cross-party campaign against the plans supported
by neighbouring MPs, local councillors, the National Farmers' Union and
East Riding Council.
He said: "The opposition to the River Humber Flood Risk Management
Strategy has been widespread.
"East Riding Council, neighbouring MPs, the National Farmers' Union and
local residents are all opposed to it and have made their feelings known
fairly vocally over the past couple of months.
"I will repeat the argument that I've made over and over again that it
makes little economic, environmental or social sense to abandon 1,000
homes in the East Riding to the sea."
"The cost of maintaining the existing defences in the East Riding would
be just £30m over 25 years and yet the value of the property expected to
lose protection is more than £300m. Where is the sense in that?
"Moreover, how can the Government possibly think it a good idea, at a
time of crippling world food shortages, to turn its back on thousands of
acres of prime farmland?" he said.
Mr Stuart said the River Hull flood strategy may also put valuable
agricultural land at risk.
He said: "The assumption seems to be that they are preparing to
sacrifice many thousands of acres of farmland on either side of the
river in order to make way for a flood storage unit at Leven.
"This is something that will have severe implications for many farmers
in my constituency and I will support them every step of the way if
their properties, livelihood and way of life are put under threat."
Staff from the Agency were expected to attend a public meeting in
Beeford to discuss the Humber Flood Risk Management Strategy last night.
