Council leader 'disappointed' after flood meeting
Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake says shes 'disappointed' that the government hasn't committed itself to providing any extra cash for flood defences.
Local MPs met with the Environment Secretary today to warn the city cannot fulfill its economic potential if there is no further investment in the city's flood defences.
"In our meeting today the Environment Secretary committed the government to giving Leeds the ‘right level of protection’ on flood defences," Cllr Blake said.
"While this is to be welcomed, there was no commitment to any additional funding to provide it which is very disappointing.
"The government’s words now need to be translated into firm action, and as a council we remain fully committed to ensuring comprehensive flood defences are in place in Leeds along the length of the River Aire as well as the River Wharfe and River Calder catchments as quickly as we can to avoid a repeat of the devastation over Christmas.”
In a statement, Elizabeth Truss said the meeting was 'constructive', and that she is 'fully committed' to learning lessons and making the city more resilient for the future.
"As we face ever more frequent extreme weather events such as those in December, which saw water levels on the River Aire 1.2m higher than previously recorded, it is right we look at what lessons can be learned and how we make Leeds more resilient for the future," she said.
"That means considering the threat to Leeds and the entire Aire Valley, taking into account how we plan for and manage flood water across the whole river catchment.
"The first phase of the Leeds flood defence scheme is due for completion in March 2017 thanks to £33m of government funding.
"Across the county £280m is being spent over the next six years – giving Yorkshire one of the most resilient flood defence programmes in the country."