Calls for chancellor to commit £141m to flood protection in and around Leeds
It's as he's set to outline spending plans in Parliament today
Businesses and councillors tell us it's vital the government backs multi-million pound plans to protect West Yorkshire from more flooding.
The Chancellor will outline his spending plans in Parliament later as councillors across our county ask for money for a package of flood protection projects in our region.
The proposed work includes £23m to boost the protection along the River Aire after the Boxing Day floods in 2015, as well as other schemes across West Yorkshire.
Phil Marken's director art Open Source Arts on Kirstall Road - who were hit by the floods:
"People live in a constant state of trepidation that it might happen again. Certainly other business owners who I've spoken to are curious as to why it's taken such a long time for any kind of defences to be implemented at all. People are eager for some kind of a solution which will give them confidence to stay and continue doing business in the area rather than feeling like they have to move.
"I think the memory is freshened up every time we do have a lot of rain and we've had quite a lot of rain in the last few months so people are looking to this winter with a big question as to whether it will flood again.
"I know that Leeds City Council are really fighting and trying to do their very best to create a solution which protects all of the businesses on Kirkstall Road but I think people would like to see some sort of action taken definitively which makes them feel safer to do business here.
"I know that many businesses have already chosen to close down, not renew their lease and move to different parts of the city and open their businesses there as they just can't live with the fear of another flood happening."
The money is being asked for by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority who have written to the Chancellor making the case for for financial support for the second phase of the Flood Alleviation to Unlock Economic Growth Programme.
Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe says in her letter to Sajid Javid:
“Leeds City Region is at a unique stage in its development with a series of key infrastructure investments coming forward in the future e.g. HS2, NPR and Housing Infrastructure Fund.
“It is critical that this investment is resilient and safeguarded. The City Region has a strong track record of delivering innovative and complex flood resilience management schemes on budget."