Nothing ‘happening on the ground’ to protect against floods, says council leader

The leader of Leeds Council criticised the government yesterday for delays in taking the necessary steps to reduce the risk of flooding in the city.

Welcoming a report from the Environment Agency on flood protection in Leeds, Cllr Judith Blake warned they are ‘far from seeing anything actually happening on the ground.’

‘We appreciate that these things take time, but promises have been made before and we’ve been sorely let down, as we were when the government rejected funding for the 2011 Leeds scheme.’

In 2011, the city’s flood defence scheme was cancelled. After last year’s Boxing Day floods, Cllr Blake argued they would have provided protection along the Aire between Woodlesford and Kirkstall.

‘In order for us to be able to give many concerned residents and businesses the reassurance they need, we need certainty and confidence that Leeds will get the flood defences that the city needs and deserves,’ Cllr Blake said yesterday.