Tide turns against EA flood defence plans
There was an outcry across the region when the Environment Agency announced provisional plans to withdraw flood defence maintenance around the River Hull and decommission a number of pumping stations.
The Agency also proposed the flooding of Leven Carrs, near Beverley, to create a flood storage area as part of plans to sacrifice rural land to protect built-up areas.
But now the organisation has admitted it has halted the plans and will look more closely at the issues in close consultation with local people.
Brandesburton farmer and River Hull Flood Action Group member Martin Voase said: "I welcome the decision to consult more with local people as there is a lot of information out there.
"The Agency has put too much emphasis on hypothetical models in the past."
The Agency's Humber strategies manager Philip Winn apologised to residents for the way the issue had been handled.
He said: "We realise we have created a lot of concern and worry and we are sorry that's happened.
"It is clear we need to work in a different and more effective way.
"The project in the upper part of East Yorkshire is currently stalled but I am confident we can get working on it very soon.
"It's unlikely we will have all the options prepared and ready for consultation in 2009, but in 2010 we will consult and get people to work with us on the flood management plan.
"I would like to think by the end of 2010 we will have an agreed strategy done.
"It will then have to go through the Government's approval process."
Earlier this month, the Agency agreed to carry out a dredging pilot scheme having previously ignored calls to do so by landowners and farmers.
Mr Winn said: "We didn't think too clearly but we now realise we have to work with the local community.
"Local people have tremendous knowledge and we have fantastic consultants who use the latest technology but we need to combine the two."
But despite a new approach, Mr Winn has warned that only so much can be done on a capped budget.
"The costs for future flood protection are going to be expensive and there is limited public money," he said.
"While the Agency needs to be well resourced there are funding limits.
"Taxpayers will expect us to spend money which will provide the greatest return.
"It may seem cold and calculating to just to look at the economic assessment but its a central issue."
Environment Agency Humber strategy manager Philip Winn at the River Hull in Beverley. The agency has apologised for the concern created by its flood defence plans