Flood Management

Progress on Flood Management in the East Riding

Following a recent meeting with the Environment Agency, progress has now been made on the agency’s proposals for flood management in the East Riding.

As a result, the council has adjourned its application for Judicial Review into the Environment Agency’s actions and the hearing listed in the High Court for today is not now taking place.

The council had instigated Judicial Review proceedings after many months of meetings and discussions with the Environment Agency because of unresolved issues especially those relating to the River Catchment Flood Management Plans.  The EA did, however, following previous discussions agree some time ago to undertake a full re-consultation on all six River Catchment Flood Management Plans for the East Riding as they stood.

The Environment Agency has now indicated a change in their approach which goes a long way to meet the council’s concerns in relation to consulting on flood protection for the river Hull and Goole areas.

The agency will now complete a river Hull strategy plan and discuss with the council the precise area that the study will cover.  This work will then be used for the consultations taking place on the Hull & Coastal Catchment Flood Management Plan.  The consultation on the CFMP and river Hull strategy plan will take place concurrently.

The Environment Agency has also responded to the council’s concerns about Goole and the need to consider all of the potential contributions to flood risks in a wider area by agreeing to carry out a study that cuts across boundaries for several River Catchment Flood Management Plans that impact on Goole.  The study will now also have wide ranging terms of reference to include tidal, river and groundwater issues and also projected rises in sea levels arising from climate change.

As with the Hull and coastal area, the study will be completed before any formal consultation on relevant River Catchment Flood Management Plans.

Councillor Stephen Parnaby OBE, leader of the council, said: “The council instigated Judicial Review proceedings because of our grave concerns that the Environment Agency’s flood management approach and consultations did not adequately address the serious risks in the East Riding.

“These recent developments are a step in the right direction and give us cause for more optimism that the East Riding will be better protected from flooding.

“There is a long way to go and the council will continue to do all we can on behalf of the residents we represent.  The progress we have made would not have been achieved without the firm action taken by the council.”

Nigel Pearson, chief executive, said: “We are very pleased that, after a great deal of persistence, progress is now being made with the Environment Agency to address the council’s long held concerns about River Catchment Flood Management Plans and flood risk in the East Riding.